US EditionBeyond the Shallow: Mote SEA Shows Off
The $130 million facility houses over 400 species and aims to double annual visitors to 700,000 while offering STEM education to 70,000 students yearly.
- On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Mote Marine Laboratory completed relocating hundreds of river otters, sea turtles, manatees, penguins and sharks into the new $130 million Mote SEA facility.
- Logistical challenges at Sarasota's City Island prompted the move, and Mote closed its old facility in July to begin the transition to more authentic habitats and easier public access.
- Crews moved animals using specialized equipment and monitoring, employing large nets, water-filled containers, and box trucks while Mote staff protected over 400 different species in the three-story building with 28 exhibits.
- Educationally, Mote SEA adds classrooms and workforce labs for students and scientists, providing free hands-on experiences for about 70,000 local K-12 students and expanding STEM opportunities, Kevin Cooper said.
- Founded in 1955 by Dr. Eugenie Clark, founder of Mote, the new aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park features Giant Pacific Octopus 'Breezy' and seven touch tanks including a Shark Encounter.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Florida’s Mote Marine Laboratory relocates hundreds of marine animals to new $130M facility
Crews used large nets, water-filled containers and box trucks to relocate hundreds of river otters, sea turtles, manatees, penguins and sharks to their new home: Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
New Mote aquarium opens with a wave of excitement in Sarasota
There they were on Oct. 6, Lakewood Ranch's Leslie Higgins and Sarasota's Nancy Scanlon, with their bodies crunched down on the floor as they tried to get a better angle to take photos at one of the huge fish tanks in the Mote Science Education Aquarium.The two seniors had a bit of trouble getting back up. But they didn't care.They were laughing, having the time of their lives in the aquarium officials believe will become a centerpiece of the al…
INSIDE LOOK at Florida's New Aquarium: Mote SEA in Sarasota
There's a brand-new aquarium in Tampa Bay for you to explore with the kids, and it is absolutely incredible. We got a chance to get a peek at Mote SEA: Science Education Aquarium before opening day, which is October 8, 2025. So let's dive into all the details so you can map out an epic day under the sea! When will Mote SEA open? Mote SEA will officially open to the public on Wednesday, October 8, and will be open daily from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. W…
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