Ocean Economy
Partner with Mote Marine Laboratory—a global leader in ocean science and technology
Powering Economic Growth
Mote Marine Laboratory is advancing ocean-economy research and driving the development of a Silicon Valley of marine science and technology. At the heart of Mote’s mission is innovative research that pushes the frontiers of marine science. Mote is inviting forward-thinking companies to collaborate in cutting-edge research and technology transfer that will help grow and diversify the region’s ocean economy. By partnering with Mote, businesses can tap into world-class scientific expertise, advanced facilities, and valuable intellectual property. Together, we can shape the future of marine science and fuel a thriving blue-economy ecosystem.
Why Mote Marine Laboratory?
- Mote leads innovative marine research and technology development locally and globally.
- State and federal agencies rely on Mote to spearhead major multi-partner ocean and economic initiatives.
- Mote's City Island campus is evolving into an International Marine Science & Technology Innovation Park that will feature Centers of Excellence for Ocean Technology & AI—focused on autonomous systems, robotics, sensors, and AI tools—and Sea-Derived Products—uniting biomedical and chemistry research.
- The Innovation Park will expand Mote’s research capacity and grow its team of more than 45 Ph.D.-level scientists.
- New facilities will strengthen collaboration among Mote researchers, visiting partners, and global innovators.
- Mote’s research programs are already leading the development of new technologies and science-based solutions across multiple disciplines in Southwest Florida and around the world.
- Mote has also been entrusted by state and federal agencies with leading massive, multi-partner research and technology development initiatives to solve problems affecting ocean and economic health.
- A new Center of Excellence for Ocean Technology and Artificial Intelligence that will focus on autonomous and remotely operated vehicles, next generation robotics and sensor development, and use of artificial intelligence and swarm model algorithms, and
- A new Center of Excellence for Derived Products from the Sea that will weave together Biomedical, Immunology, Molecular Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Medicinal Chemistry Research Programs.
- The new International Marine Science & Technology Innovation Park will more than double Mote’s research infrastructure on the City Island campus alone, and increase the number of scientists beyond our current staff of over 45 PhD-level researchers.
- This will provide Mote scientists & engineers, visiting research partners, and science & technology entrepreneurs from around the world with expanded, state-of-the-art research facilities that will enhance our ability to excel in addressing significantly complex threats facing our oceans.
- The innovations and intellectual property generated by Mote and its partners, along with a growing regional science and technology sector, will ignite an expansion of Florida’s “blue economy,” with impacts felt well beyond our state.
- Mote’s new International Marine S&T Innovation Park will become the catalyst for a “Silicon Valley” of marine science and technology throughout SW Florida, and fuel new industry sectors, drive economic growth, and create high-wage jobs.
The result will integrate Mote’s world-class research with emerging ocean technologies sectors to leverage the new International Marine Science and Technology Innovation Park as the launchpad for a thriving new high-tech blue economy cluster in Florida.
State-of-the-art Facilities
Mote now operates 10 locations from Anna Maria Island to Key West, anchored by three core research campuses: the 10.5-acre City Island campus in Sarasota, the 200-acre Mote Aquaculture Research Park in Sarasota County, and the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in the Keys. Across these sites, Mote advances specialized research in coral and seagrass restoration and genetics, sustainable aquaculture and aquaponics, and harmful algal bloom mitigation. The organization also trains future marine scientists through five Workforce Development Labs at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) and recently launched the Artificial Intelligence in Marine Science (AIMS) Center, a growing hub for applying AI to ocean science and technology.
Research
Red Tide Mitigation
Artificial Intelligence
Ocean Technology
Sensor development and integration, AI/ML algorithms, image recognition, AUV/ROV, robotics.
Sustainable Aquaculture
Recirculating aquaculture system optimization and best practices, methods include fish sexual characteristics determination using peptide hormones.
Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS)
Public data collection/website interface, method of using conditioned media to determine and report the presence of red tide.
Marine Biomedical Research
Shark, Marine Mammal, & Sea Turtle Research
Coastal Resiliency & Restoration
Coral and seagrass gene banks, methods for outplanting genetically resilient seagrass and corals to withstand multiple types of stressors.
Educating our STEM Workforce
Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) expands opportunities for STEM education in our region and prepares students for future careers. Lessons follow Florida’s standards and are built on Mote’s leading marine research, giving students hands-on experiences with real ocean challenges. With three STEM Teaching Labs and five advanced Workforce Development Labs, Mote SEA offers dynamic spaces where curiosity grows into valuable skills and career opportunities.
Services for Industry
Advisory & Consultative
- Ex: Outside company seeks Mote expertise on a specific topic.
Research & Development
- Ex: Outside company contracts Mote scientists to test their product or technology.
Licensing of Technology
- Ex: Mote licenses its intellectual property to an outside entity for commercial purposes.
Joint Research Project
- Ex: Mote and a partner institution work together on technology development.
Partnerships
- Industry Partnerships
- Wastewater treatment
- Oil spill clean-up/response
- Natural/Derived products from the sea
- Emergency response companies
- Blue tech companies
- Commercial aquaculture
- Public/Private research institutions
- Federal and State Partnerships:
- DoD
- EPA
- NSF
- NOAA
- FL DEP
- FL FWC/FWRI
- US Fish and Wildlife Service
- FL Dept. of Health
- >175 Universities around the world
Get In Touch
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Our team can help connect you with the right people to explore joining Sarasota’s Ocean Economy.
