The Siesta Key Crystal Classic
Supporting Sea Turtles through Mote Marine Laboratory
 Photo courtesy Marc Ellis/H2Opictures.com |
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| For more than 30 years, Mote Marine Laboratory has been coordinating sea turtle conservation on 35 miles of Sarasota County shoreline. And since 1992, Mote has run the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital, taking in sick and injured sea turtles from throughout the state, treating them and returning them to the wild. |
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| The five sea turtle species that call the Gulf of Mexico home — loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, green, leatherback and hawksbill — are federally protected species and listed as endangered or threatened. At Mote, our science-based studies of wild sea turtles form the basis for species conservation at the state and national level. Our rehabilitation efforts are also designed to help turtles’ struggling populations. |
 Animal Care Coordinator Lynne Byrd treats a loggerhead turtle nicknamed Vicki Lee. This turtle was first tagged by by Mote researchers in 1988. In 2009, the turtle stranded in Naples and was brought to Mote's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital for treatment. Vicki Lee was returned to the wild after a few months of hospitalization. |
| Learn more about our turtle programs: |
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Support Mote's sea turtle research, rehabilitation and conservation efforts by getting involved during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic: |
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 Mote's Sea Turtle Patrol stakes nests laid by turtles along 35 miles of beaches in Sarasota County. Marking nests helps us determine the success of a breeding season, protects nests from predators and even allows us to count the number of hatchlings that survive. |
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A hatchling makes its way to the sea after emerging from its nest. |
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About Us
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. 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.
