Water-Related News

Mote and Partners Field-Testing Promising Red Tide Initiative Technologies

Mote Marine Laboratory is excited to announce that three promising red tide mitigation technologies have completed rigorous laboratory testing and received regulatory approvals to begin the field deployment research stage. These advancements mark a significant milestone in the fight against Florida’s and harmful red tide, Karenia brevis blooms, and offer a science-based path toward reducing their detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, public health, and Florida’s economy.

Red tides, or red tide harmful algal blooms, are a higher-than-normal concentration of microscopic alga that occur in ocean and coastal waters. In Florida, the toxin producing Karenia brevis is the species causing most red tides. Red tides in Florida have been documented since the 1700’s and can harmfully affect sea life, lead to massive fish kills, cause human respiratory problems, close beaches, and determinately impact shellfish, fishing, hotel, restaurant, recreational, and tourism industries.

To address this challenge, Mote partnered with the State of Florida through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to establish the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative. This Initiative, is an independent and coordinated effort among public and private research entities to develop prevention, control and mitigation technologies and approaches that will decrease the impacts of Florida red tide.

Mote Receives 22 Juvenile Green Turtles During Florida Cold-Stunning Event

As Atlantic temperatures drop into the 50s, hundreds of green sea turtles are being rescued from the frigid waters off Florida’s East Coast. This week alone, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital received 22 cold-stunned juvenile green turtles.

Cold-stunning occurs when turtles become lethargic due to rapidly dropping water temperatures. As ectothermic, or “cold-blooded,” animals, sea turtles cannot regulate their body temperature internally and rely on their environment to stay warm. When water temperatures drop too quickly, turtles can go into a hypothermic-like state where their body functions slow dramatically. Cold-stunned turtles often appear lifeless, floating at the water’s surface or onshore, leaving them vulnerable to predators, boat strikes, and exposure-related complications such as pneumonia, infection, and frostbite.

During this cold-stunning event, the affected turtles were initially brought to The Sea Turtle Hospital at the University of Florida Whitney Laboratory in St. Augustine, Florida, for triage. As part of a coordinated rescue effort, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), New England Aquarium, and multiple rehabilitation facilities across the state work together to ensure turtles receive the care they need. Once stabilized, the turtles are distributed among rehabilitation centers, including Mote Marine Laboratory, for further treatment.

DYK: Water Management Infrastructure Protects our Communities and Water Resources

Moving water to meet varying conditions and needs is essential to sustaining South Florida's people, economy and our environment.

DID YOU KNOW: The South Florida Water Management District (District) actively operates and maintains the world’s largest water management system.

AN INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM: This multi-purpose water management system connects to secondary drainage districts comprised of smaller neighborhood systems to effectively manage and safeguard South Florida’s water resources and provide flood control for over 9 million South Floridians.

BY THE NUMBERS: The District’s Operations and Maintenance staff oversee approximately 2,175 miles of canals, 2,130 miles of levees/berms, 98 pump stations, 620 project culverts and 936 water control structures.

A CLOSER LOOK: From canals and reservoirs to stormwater treatment areas and spillways, we encourage you to learn more about the District's water management infrastructure:

S-61 Boat Lock in Osceola County Will Be Closed February 3-7, 2025

The S-61 Boat Lock in Osceola County will temporarily close next week for a routine inspection.

The boat lock will close at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 and will remain closed until 7:00 a.m. on Friday Feb. 7, 2025. Boaters will not be able to lock through the structure and should make alternate plans.