Mote Marina and laboratory * Take a Look at these Creatures, they may not be Around Long!

Moto laboratories is a nonprofit marine research institution. World-class marine scientists work to conserve and sustain our oceans.

There are many facilities located throughout Florida. The one we visited is in Sarasota - 10.5-acre Base Campus and Aquarium.

We are guardians of the sea and all living things that depend upon it.
https://mote.org/about-us
This gentleman is William R Mote, a philanthropist who not only donated land for the labatories, but also provided this nonprofit organization with millions of dollars.

The Mote scientists originally focused on sharks.
Now this nonprofit organization deals with research and education involving all facets of our oceans.

Come join me as I take a tour of the Mote Aquarium.

The coral thriving in these tanks reminded me of their pure beauty, but it also reminded me of the havoc humans are causing for coral reefs. (90 % of the coral reefs in Florida are DEAD.
Although the ecosystem is a small one, close to one million species of fish, crabs, eels, mollusks, sponges, worms, grasses, algae, and other marine life call the coral reefs their home.

What vivid colors.

Lion Fish, an invasive species, causing mush harm to the coral reefs of Florida.

A number of restaurants have come up with a recipe for Lion Fish. If you catch them, they will clean and cook them for you for free, while paying a reduced price for a complete meal.

As mentioned earlier, Mote Laboratories first started with the sole intent on studying sharks.

Sting Rays

SEA HORSES There are approximately 40 different spices that have been identified. These amazing creatures range in size from 1\2 in. to as large as 8 inches.
Sea horses can be found in oceans throughout the world.

Just a couple of pics that remind us of the diversity found in our oceans.

Life in any form can be breathtaking.

This guy hides in the sand and only reveals himself to snatch up unsuspecting prey.

Some of the coolest exhibit tanks were those of the Jellyfish. Jelly fish are invertebrates. They can live from a couple of hours to several years. The Lion's mane jellyfish is the largest of them all,and can have a bell over six and a half feet in diameter.

It's very ironic that this is in fact a jellyfish, not a plastic bag .

There're 7 different type of Sea Turtles. Sea turtles are one of the Earth's most ancient creatures. Sea Turtles have been around for 110 million years, since the time of the dinosaurs.
It may only take mankind less than 100 years to add them to the extinct list, as we continue to pollute their habitat.

WHO'S YOUR DADDY, a better question is WHO'S YOU'RE MOMMY, and the answer to this question is very obvious, MOTHER NATURE. We are the off springs of mother nature, and as we all do for our loved ones, as they age, we become the care givers. It should be no different with all of mankind's real mother, MOTHER NATURE, it is time for us to take care of her.
She is ageing at an unprecedented rate.

Hope you enjoyed! thebigsweed