Center for Fisheries Enhancement

Historical Highlights

1967 Charles M. Breder, Jr., named Interim Director of Cape Haze Marine Laboratory (for 6 months). Breder then continued his research on fish schooling, coloration and behavior.

1979 First comprehensive survey of fish populations in Sarasota Bay begins.

1985 Mote Marine Lab and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute create a partnership to scientifically investigate restoration of depleted marine and estuarine fisheries. Today the partnership has major influence on restoration efforts throughout the U.S.

1994 The William R. and Lenore Mote Eminent Scholar Chair in Fisheries Ecology established at Florida State University. This endowment is comanaged by Florida State University and Mote Marine Laboratory to promote collaborative interactions and scientific exchange in fisheries ecology at both institutions.

1995 Charles M. Breder, Jr., Chair established to support the study of the biology, behavior and conservation of fishes.

1996 'Fisheries & Aquaculture Research Section' formed; teaming Mote Marine Lab's Fish Biology, Fish Ecology and Stock Enhancement Programs.

1996 The first FSU-Mote International Symposium in Fisheries Ecology is held.

1997 First experimental release of common snook to evaluate survival patterns of hatchery-reared fish.

1998 'Fisheries & Aquaculture Research Section' renamed 'Center for Fisheries Enhancement'.

2000 Scientists show that hatchery-raised and released snook make up 1 to 3 percent of Sarasota Bay’s snook population and that hatchery-reared red drum have established a small fishery in Biscayne Bay.

2000 Center has lead role in establishing the Science Consortium for Ocean Replenishment, a national research partnership established to advance the science of marine stock enhancement.

2002 The Center documents the importance of tidal creeks as key snook nursery habitats.

2003 Scientists find that an exotic fish species has invaded Charlotte Harbor.