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RESEARCH AT MOTE
 MARINE LABORATORY






 OCEAN ACIDIFICATION RESEARCH AT MOTE
 Though ocean acidification is an emerging threat,   of ocean acidification. Mote and its partners have
 it has been a focus of Florida Keys-based research   also developed innovations that will help restore
 for over a decade.  There, scientists work to answer   coral reefs in our lifetime with coral genetic strains
 questions that matter to Florida and the world:   most likely to be able to survive changing ocean
 Which corals, shellfish and other life forms will be   temperature and pH for generations to come.
 “losers” or even “winners” amid ocean acidification?   Ocean acidification is a key priority for many
 How will ocean life change — from whole ecosystems   Florida-focused scientists — including those at Mote,
 down to the tiny microscopic life forms that affect   University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University,
 reef health? Will ocean acidification and other   University of South Florida, National Oceanic and
 threats hit harder together? How can we restore   Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey
 dwindling reefs in more acidic waters?    and many more. Much more can be done to
 And what does ocean acidification   The potential   provide the scientific basis for restoring,
 mean for our communities?  impacts are complex,  conserving and sustainably utilizing
 vary among
 Mote Marine Laboratory — a world-  species and pose   healthy marine resources through strategic
 class, independent marine science   many unanswered   leveraging of their independent efforts into
 institution — is spearheading key   questions.    a coordinated coalition of Florida marine
 research using an enhance state-of-the-  research on ocean acidification impacts to
 art ocean acidification system established through a   our marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats.
 National Science Foundation grant and based at the   Engaging our local communities directly with ocean
 Mote’s Summerland Key campus. Over the last few   acidification research initiatives is an important
 years, Mote has held three focused workshops on ocean   vehicle for growing the level of understanding by the
 acidification with scientists from across the U.S., and   broader public on the threats of ocean acidification.
 co-sponsored an international workshop on ocean   It is also vital to translate and transfer the findings
 acidification impacts to coral reefs with partners in   of science to better enable our legislators and
 Israel.  In 2015, Mote co-hosted a 2  international   community members to lead an effort to raise
 nd
 workshop for scientists from the U.S., U.K., Cuba, Israel,   awareness and secure public and private funds
 Jordan and Sicily — strengthening Florida’s presence as   to help restore and enhance the resiliency of
 a world-hub of ocean acidification research.  Florida’s marine resources to the impacts of ocean
 Mote manages Florida’s Protect our Reefs program,   acidification. Fundraising initiatives for marine
 which over the last five years has supported 73   research and community research partnerships,
 grants focused on ocean acidification impacts to   like Mote’s Oceans of Opportunity campaign
 coral reefs and improving public understanding   (moteoceans.org), are a great place to start.

 MOTE MARINE LABORATORY       1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy  •  Sarasota, FL 34236  •  (941) 388 - 4441       MOTE.ORG
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