Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is moving soon to the Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park.
Mote’s long-standing plan in preparation for the new facility has included a period of time where operations at Mote Aquarium on City Island would transition to focus efforts on animal quarantine and transfer, as well as staff and volunteer training for Mote SEA operations.
July 6 was the final day that the Mote Aquarium on City Island was ticketed and available for general public admission.
The following day, July 7, all operations at Mote Aquarium on City Island started the transition to dedicated preparation and support for the opening of Mote SEA.
It’s important to note that no Mote Aquarium staff will be furloughed due to this transition.
There are two primary controlling forcing functions that will determine the final opening date.
The first is Mote SEA exhibits’ water chemistry and critical life support microbial dynamics.
A majority of the themed habitats at Mote SEA include “shotcrete” and paint. It’s critically important that those habitats are removed of all soluble components, which is done through a process known as leaching. This process can vary in the time that it takes to complete.
While Mote’s staff are monitoring the leaching process daily, part of this exercise is simply waiting for the water chemistry to stabilize. Once that occurs, critical life support microbial communities are inoculated into exhibit life support systems and must become stabilized before multi-cellular animal inhabitants of the exhibits are introduced.
The second forcing function is animal quarantine, transfer and acclimation. The health, safety and welfare of all animals under Mote’s care is the top priority. Mote is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and follows animal transfer protocols adopted as best practices across peer institutions. Following a quarantine protocol for each animal and upon subsequent transfer to Mote SEA, all newly resident animals will be closely monitored for veterinary acclimation signals. Until such time that all animals have fully acclimated to their new habitats, Mote SEA will not open for general admission.
