Protect Our Reefs

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.
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Based in the Florida Keys, Mote Marine Laboratory’s coral reef research programs restore and protect reefs by planting corals, testing treatments for coral disease, and pioneering efforts to grow and preserve resilient native genetic varieties. 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.

06/20/2026

Fourth of July is just around the corner! Do you have your fireworks viewing plans yet? ✨

Celebrate with Mote Marine Laboratory at one of the best viewing spots for the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July Fireworks–our coral nursery at Reefhouse Resort & Marina, overlooking Blackwater Sound!

Before the fireworks show, take a guided tour of Key Largo’s first and only land-based coral nursery, where Mote scientists are leading cutting-edge reef restoration efforts focused on resilience. 🪸🎇

Admission Options:
🚗 VIP – $50 per vehicle
Includes covered parking just steps from the nursery and fireworks viewing area, a FREE Mote swag bag, and automatic entry into our raffle!

🚶 Walk-In – $5 per person
Walk-in guests can tour the nursery and enjoy fireworks on the property. Parking not included.

🎟 Space is limited – reserve your spot today:
https://ticketing.mote.org/events/0a77bae9-ee39-a13d-76a6-6ff978702655

Bring your own chairs or blankets and refreshments. The nursery is located behind the Reefhouse Resort Conference Center.

We can’t wait to celebrate the holiday with you! All proceeds support Mote’s coral reef research and restoration efforts.

Contact Sophia Palmieri for any questions or concerns at 941-266-9317 or [email protected]

06/18/2026

Take your marine science experience to the next level with Mote’s Grazers Internship! 🦀

Join Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program and dive into the fascinating world of herbivores that help keep coral reefs healthy! The Grazers Team focuses on ecosystem level interactions, primarily researching herbivores and their ability to remove algae from degraded reefs. Another goal of the Grazers team is to develop the best methods for culturing Caribbean King Crabs.

As a Grazers intern at Mote’s International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration or Mote’s Aquaculture Research Park, you’ll:
🧑‍🔬 Study how herbivores like crabs and urchins help restore coral reefs
🦀 Build skills in herbivore husbandry (crabs and urchins)
🔬 Gain hands-on research experience in larval development, aquaculture practices, and species interactions
🤿 Conduct fieldwork — primarily snorkeling from shore and by boat

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who want to build their husbandry knowledge and gain research experience. Must be comfortable swimming, lifting 50 lbs, and working outdoors in all conditions.

🔗For more information and to apply in the Florida Keys visit mote.org/internships/college/coral-restoration-grazers-keys/

🔗For more information and to apply in Sarasota visit https://mote.org/internships/college/coral-restoration-grazers/

Note: Applicants must have obtained a high school diploma and must be enrolled in an accredited university or college program at the undergraduate or graduate level OR be a recent college graduate to be eligible to apply for a Mote internship. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. International applicants must speak English fluently.

06/17/2026

Summer has officially arrived, and our summer interns are back in action! ☀️ Each year, Mote welcomes and mentors a diverse group of students through a range of summer internships, from college programs to Undergraduate Research Experiences (URE). These internships offer hands-on opportunities in marine science, helping early-career and college students gain real-world experience.

Welcome aboard, Summer Interns! Get to know the crew ⬇️
🪸 Lily M
Mote’s Coral Restoration Research Program
University of North Carolina Charlotte

🪸 Alli F
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program
College of Charleston

🪸 Sarah D
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program
UC Santa Barbara

🪸 Mia F
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program
Nova Southeastern University

🦀 Kelsey F
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program (Caribbean King Crab Research)
University of Miami

🧪 Alexa W
Mote’s Ocean Acidification Research Program
Northern Michigan University

🪸 David G
Mote’s Coral Restoration Research Program
University of Miami

🪸 Laney G
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program
Illinois College

🦀 Emily W
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program (Caribbean King Crab Research)
University of Toledo

💉 Alexa J
Mote’s Coral Health and Disease Research Program
Universidad de Costa Rica

🪸 Jordan K
Mote’s Coral Reef Restoration Research Program
University of Delaware

🪸 Gracie T
Mote’s Coral ReefRestoration Research Program
Tarleton State University

Interested in a Mote internship? Check out mote.org/internships to explore the variety of offerings at Mote!

Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium

06/15/2026

Big news for Florida’s Coral Reef! 🎉 More than $365,000 has been awarded this year through Mote's Protect Our Reefs License Plate Grant Program!

That's $365,000 supporting coral research, restoration, education, and outreach projects working to protect Florida's Coral Reef.

Since the program began, Protect Our Reefs plate sales have generated more than $8 million for coral conservation efforts and funded 350+ projects across Florida. 👏

Want to help protect Florida’s Coral Reef? Purchase a specialty reef plate through your local tax collector. Every plate provides a direct $25 contribution to coral reef research and restoration.

🚗 More plates = More restoration 🪸

06/09/2026

🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨 Join Mote Marine Laboratory’s Florida Keys BleachWatch team! The BleachWatch Program trains recreational and professional divers and snorkelers to help monitor and report on conditions at the reef. Information from these citizen science reports, along with environmental conditions are summarized in a Current Conditions Report made available online at mote.org/bleachwatch. In this training, divers will learn how to identify coral bleaching, disease and predation, and complete the necessary data forms to submit observations to the program.

Attend our final in-person training session of 2026! Register at the link in our bio or visit mote.org/bleachwatch!
🤿 June 13, 2026 | 12 PM - John Pennekamp State Park Visitor Center

This project is funded by Mote's "Protect Our Reefs" license plate and is coordinated by Mote Marine Laboratory in conjunction with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Pre-registration is requested at mote.org/bleachwatch. If unable to attend an in-person workshop, online training is also available at mote.org/bleachwatch. For more information contact Eva Laxo at: [email protected] or 941-685-1860.

06/08/2026

Happy ! 🌊💙

Today we celebrate the ocean and all that it provides, from the incredible wildlife it supports to the communities and livelihoods that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.

At Mote, we are working to restore Florida’s Coral Reef by growing and caring for corals in nurseries, outplanting them onto the reef, and advancing research to help build more resilient coral populations.

Join us in protecting and restoring our blue planet:
🤿 Dive: mote.org/divekeys
💙 Donate: mote.org/coraldonation
🌊 Get involved: mote.org/coralreefecosystems

📸: Various Mote Staff

06/01/2026

Today is World Reef Awareness Day! 🪸✨

Did you know that coral reefs are living animals? What some may think are rocks or plants are actually thousands of tiny animals working together to build one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth. And these corals protect more than you think!

Coral reefs keep our oceans and communities alive! Globally, they're home to ¼ of our marine life, and each year, the economic value of coral reefs in the U.S. exceeds $3.4 billion. But, Florida's coral reef is under pressure from a variety of impacts, including ocean acidification, disease and more.

Restoration is possible! Every day, Mote scientists are working towards keeping our reefs healthy by growing resilient corals, advancing coral reproduction science and testing coral reef disease treatments.

Together, we can help restore our coral reefs! 🤝 Join Mote’s efforts in restoring the reefs this World Reef Awareness Day by volunteering, diving or purchasing a Protect Our Reefs plate.

🔗 Learn more about Mote's Coral Reef Ecosystems Programs at mote.org/coralreefecosystems

05/29/2026

Earlier this month, Mote’s Dumpster Divers team took home 3rd place in the private boat division in the 4th Annual I.CARE Trash Derby! 🌊♻️

Our team removed 3,699 pounds of harmful marine debris from the reef, contributing to the total of 34,969 pounds removed by 931 participants across the Florida Keys! 💪🪸

Marine debris, like abandoned fishing gear and plastic waste, can smother corals, block sunlight, and entangle marine life. With over 11 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean annually, cleanup efforts like these are critical to protecting the ecosystems we work so hard to restore.

Activities took place within the NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary under permit and with FWC authorization.

Address

Summerland Key, FL
34236

Website

http://mote.org/coralreefecosystems

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