Weekly News Digest from Mote

Sarasota Dolphin Researcher Nominated for Indianapolis Prize

Dr. Randall Wells, leader of the longest-running study of a wild dolphin population, has been nominated for the Indianapolis Prize — the world’s top award for animal conservation.

Wells is among 39 conservation all-stars nominated, including anthropologist Jane Goodall and ocean conservation leader Carl Safina.

Wells, who has dedicated his life to studying dolphins, is director of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program — a collaboration between the Chicago Zoological Society and Mote Marine Laboratory that has studied the dolphins of Sarasota Bay, Fla. since it began at Mote in 1970.  

Wells and his team of researchers have collected decades of data on many aspects of dolphin biology, including health, behavior, genetics, environmental change and adverse interactions with humans. Results inform other scientific studies along with policy decisions that help protect marine animals.

The program is unique: Nowhere else in the world can researchers work with a group of wild dolphins in their natural habitat where the medical and behavioral history of each dolphin is so well known.

Over the years, Wells and his collaborators have:

Dr. Randall Wells, director of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program - a collaboration between the Chicago Zoological Society and Mote Marine Laboratory - and his team conduct a dolphin health assessment.
(Photo credit: Sarasota Dolphin Research Program.  Photo taken under NMFS permit #522-1785)

• Identified the first-known resident population of dolphins — now numbering about 160 bottlenose dolphins that live year ‘round in Sarasota Bay. Focusing primarily on this population, program scientists have amassed more than 41,000 sightings of dolphin groups including 113,000 records of identifiable dolphins.
• Documented the occurrence of five concurrent generations in Sarasota Bay — more than any other wild dolphin study.
• Documented the oldest wild dolphin of known age, a female nicknamed “Nicklo” estimated to be 63 years old.
• Worked together and shared knowledge with scientists and students from more than 23 countries around the globe, including India, Bangladesh, Cuba and other locales. Joint studies with Argentine and Brazilian researchers have found that the highly threatened franciscana dolphins of the coastal waters of South America have very small ranges, just like Sarasota Bay dolphins do – a finding that led to important changes in protection strategies.
• Supported over 30 doctoral dissertations and 30 master’s thesis projects through the program, helping to foster the next generation of marine scientists.
• Distributed more than 300,000 Dolphin-friendly Fishing and Viewing Tips cards, which are designed to raise public awareness and keep dolphins safe.

Wells has studied Sarasota Bay’s dolphins since high school, when he helped program founder Blair Irvine begin a dolphin-tagging study in Sarasota Bay. Since then he has studied marine mammals around the globe, has led or co-led more than 170 marine mammal research projects and has served as president of the international Society for Marine Mammalogy, chairman of the Atlantic Scientific Review Group, chairman of NOAA’s Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events, and in numerous other science and conservation leadership roles.

Wells and the other nominees for the Indianapolis Prize will be reviewed by an international Nominating Committee composed of renowned professional conservationists and local representatives. Six finalists will be revealed in spring 2014, and a winner will be announced in mid-2014 and honored at the next Indianapolis Prize Gala presented by Cummins Inc., to be held Sept. 27, 2014, in Indianapolis. The winner will receive $250,000 and the five other finalists will each receive $10,000.

The Indianapolis Prize, a biennial award initiated by the Indianapolis Zoo, brings the world’s attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented and dedicated men and women who spent their lives saving the Earth’s endangered animal species.

For more information, read press releases from the Chicago Zoological Society and the
Indianapolis Prize Web site.

Mote Announces Fall Education Programs

Learn your A-B-Seas, explore Sarasota Bay by kayak or get your feet wet in marine science through a special program for home schoolers during Mote Marine Laboratory’s new lineup of fall education programs. Mote, a world-class marine research institution, offers informal science education programs to help people of all ages become more ocean literate.

Register now for programs from Saturday, Sept. 10 into December 2013:

Mommy and Me

• Mommy and Me at Mote
  Kids and their favorite adults learn together through marine-themed crafts, games, songs, stories, role playing and a special guided visit to a Mote exhibit. For ages 2-5 with adult. 10-11 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Thursdays from Sept. 12 through Dec. 19.

• Mommy and Me: Exploring the Bay 
  Explore coastal habitats by wading in the water and collecting marine animals with dip nets. Ages 2-5 with adult. 10-11 a.m. on Tuesdays from Sept. 10 through Oct. 29.

Details and registration: www.mote.org/mommyandme

Kayaking with Mote

Kayak Sarasota Bay to discover the marine animals and plants that thrive in Florida's coastal waters, and learn how Mote's scientists study this unique environment. Ages 11 and older welcome.

• Sunrise Paddles: 7:30-9 a.m. on Sept. 28, Oct. 12, Nov. 23 and Dec. 14
  
  
• Morning Paddles: 10-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5, Nov. 9 and Dec. 7
  
  
• Full-Moon Paddles: 6:30-8 p.m. on Sept. 19, Nov. 17 and Dec. 17

Details and registration: www.mote.org/kayak

Home School Days

Each month, home-schooled students and their families are invited to an exciting day of age-appropriate, ocean-themed learning experiences led by Mote’s professional marine science educators. Each Home School Day takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Sept. 11 or 13: Say What? Communication in the Ocean

• Oct. 9 or 11: One Fish, Two Fish: Biodiversity of the Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico

• Nov. 6 or 8: Those Magnificent Mangroves: Exploring our Salt Tolerant Neighbor

• Dec. 11 or 13: Whale of a Tale: Conservation and Adaptations of the Giants in the Sea

Details and registration at www.mote.org/homeschool

National Plug in Day to "Electrify the Island" at Mote
Sept. 29 celebration will feature electric vehicles, sustainable technology, discount Mote admission

Electric vehicles and other eco-friendly technologies will show their power during “Electrify the Island”: the Sarasota-based festival for the nationwide celebration National Plug In Day. 

This free event will take place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, on the grounds of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium on City Island, Sarasota. Mote is a world-class marine science and education institution that launched a Sustainable Energy Initiative in 2012 to enhance the Lab’s environmentally sound practices.

Electrify the Island will feature a plug-in electric vehicle (EV) expo, ride-and-drive sessions that allow visitors to test some of the sleekest EVs around, including cars from Tesla, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan, along with vendors focused on sustainability and energy efficiency, educational booths, great food and a special discount at The Aquarium at Mote.

• For full details for the public and news media, read Mote's press release.
  
• To sponsor this event or become a vendor, contact Nigel Mould at 941-400-0548, nmould@verizon.net or contact Chris Sharek at 941-915-6003, chris.sharek@atkinsglobal.com
• To RSVP your EV for display and/or a post-event rally (drive to a local beach restaurant), contact Larry Chanin at lfchanin@verizon.net

Electrify the Island is possible thanks to national partners Plug In America, Sierra Club and Electric Auto Association, along with local partners City of Sarasota, Sarasota County and Mote. Event organizers thank sponsors from Tesla, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan and Pedego Electric Bikes of Sarasota.

Event partners:

Columbia Restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 365 days a year at 411 St. Armands Circle, Sarasota.

Other Columbia locations participating in Community Harvest will include: Tampa’s Historic Ybor City, the Historic District in St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Central Florida's town of Celebration, the Columbia Café on the Riverwalk in Tampa and the Columbia Restaurant Café at Tampa International Airport. For more information about the Community Harvest program, including a list of participating nonprofits and restaurant locations, visit www.columbiarestaurant.org or contact Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota at 941-388-3987.

Mote needs your help to continue our mission of advancing marine science, education, and outreach. Visit www.mote.org for more food for thought.

The Charlotte Harbor Photo Release Fishing Tournament will take place Sept. 20 and 21 at Laishley Crab House, 50 Laishley Court in Punta Gorda.

Beyond Borders Outfitters and the C.A.R.E. Auxiliary Society are partnering to present this inaugural fishing event officiated by Captain Rhett Morris. The tournament will benefit victims of violent crimes receiving shelter and services at The Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Inc. and will promote awareness about conservation and protection of the harbor fishery. 

Tournament winners will be judged on an Inshore Slam, with the largest combined snook, redfish and trout, as well as a winner for the largest of each species. This is a photo release tournament with catch-and-release fishing only. Photos will be broadcast throughout the Crab House during the event. Spectators and anglers may participate in the auction and raffle.

Proceeds from the tournament will be used to help victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault and to fund preventive education focused on creating healthy relationships and life choices.  At the same time, anglers on the harbor will keep sport fishing alive while highlighting the need to preserve nature’s balance with clean and healthy ecosystems on our waterways.

To support sustainable fisheries, scientists from Mote Marine Laboratory will assist with collecting and managing data about fish caught and released during this tournament, and they will contribute tournament prizes and share knowledge about their research and conservation activities with participating captains. Mote scientists study snook, tarpon, sharks and other key species in Charlotte Harbor, often working in collaboration with anglers.

The C.A.R.E. Auxiliary Society provides fundraising support for C.A.R.E. which is a 501 (3) (c) organization.  Beyond Borders Outfitters offers world class saltwater fishing trips in Charlotte Harbor and Boca Grande Pass.

Event contacts:
Kim Fender, C.A.R.E. Auxiliary Volunteer: 863-990-1765 (cell), carequeen1@gmail.com, www.carefl.org

Buoys and ghouls of all ages are invited to dress up in costume for a Night of Fish, Fun and Fright from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, 2013, at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

Discover creatures from the deep in a safe and fun trick-or-treating zone and explore “Dr. Frankin-Fish's Icky-ology Lab" (recommended for children 8 and older).

Unearth shark teeth in “Coffin Creek”, enjoy deep sea delights in the “Diner of the Dead" and take part in an education program geared toward ages 2-5. And don’t miss our signature underwater pumpkin carving in our spooktacular shark tank!

Tickets are available for $6 per person online through Oct. 16. Tickets at the door are $8 per person for Mote Members or $10 per person for nonmembers. (Children age 3 and younger are admitted free.) More information: www.mote.org/halloween