National Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory

 
Shark researchers tag a whale shark off Sarasota, Fla., in the Gulf of Mexico on May 28, 2010. Photo by Kim Hull/Mote Marine Laboratory
In 1991, the U.S. Congress designated Mote shark research programs as a National Center for Shark Research.

Mote shark researchers are dedicated to the scientific study of elasmobranchs — sharks and their relatives, the skates and
rays and areas of investigation include molecular biology and biomedical studies of sharks in the laboratory to ecological, fisheries and conservation studies of shark populations in the sea.

Mote provides critical information on elasmobranchs by combining worldwide field studies with those conducted under controlled conditions in the laboratory. These studies provide crucial knowledge about sharks' biological adaptions, their resource value and the conservation status of numerous species.

For more information about this Congressionally designated center, please contact Dr. Robert Hueter.

In addition to sharing information with the scientific community, Mote is also dedicated to enhancing public understanding and awareness of sharks and rays and their status in the wild through outreach to policy makers, educational institutions, the media and the general public.

To help raise awareness about the status of sharks in the wild, in 2010, Mote joined with other organizations to sponsor the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark Challenge. Mote supported this all-release shark fishing tournament as an alternative to traditional catch and kill shark tournaments.

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>Other shark conservation info

Mote staff tag a great hammerhead during the Guy Harvey Ultimate Shark challenge. Photo by Hayley Rutger/Mote Marine Laboratory.
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Give our Shark Research More Teeth
As we examine the importance of sharks, skates and rays, we can't ignore the importance of your support of our research. The more support have, the more we can do.
Please click here to donate today.

About Us

Mote Marine Laboratory has been a leader in marine research since it was founded in 1955. Today, we incorporate public outreach as a key part of our mission. Mote is an independent nonprofit organization and has seven centers for marine research, the public Mote Aquarium and an Education Division specializing in public programs for all ages.

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