The term “shark attack” is typically used by the media, government officials, researchers and the public to describe almost any kind of human-shark interaction — even those where no contact or injury occurs between humans and sharks.

Now, Christopher Neff of the University of Sydney, Australia, and Dr. Robert Hueter, leader of Mote Marine Laboratory’s Center for Shark Research in Sarasota, Fla. — the only Congressionally designated national research center in the U.S. focused on sharks — propose a new system of classification to support more accurate scientific reporting about shark interactions, along with more accurate public discussion about shark risk to swimmers and divers.

New Turtle Debuts in The Aquarium at Mote • New Electric Car Charger and Solar Power Monitor at Mote • Jan. 30: Mote Coral Expert to Speak and Sundance Film Festival Entry on Coral to be Screened at South Florida Museum • New Volunteers Needed at Mote: Learn More at Coffee Reception • Feb. 8 PHOTO/VIDEO OP: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Mote

Florida Red Tide Updates • Valentine's Day PHOTO/VIDEO OP for media on Feb. 8 • Boca Grande Lecture Series Starts Jan. 24
• Support Mote During Special at Michael's on East

Discover how Mote got its start on Charlotte Harbor's coast during a free special lecture Thursday in Punta Gorda — the first of Mote's brand new education programs in Charlotte County.

“Baby” corals of at least some species are vulnerable to Deepwater Horizon oil and are especially likely to die when exposed to dispersants used during a spill, according to a lab-based study by Mote Marine Laboratory scientists that was published online Jan. 9 in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE.

Mrs. Bush Hails Mote Office Opening • Newly Published Study Shows Detrimental Effects of Deepwater Horizon Oil and Dispersent • Street Named for Mote Namesake • Mote Caviar Served at New Waterfront Restuarant at The Ritz

New Education Programs Start this Month in Charlotte Harbor • Support Mote during Michael's On East Special Starting Jan. 14 • From Water Bears to Whale Sharks…and Everything In Between: Mote’s Special Lecture Series