45 years of MOTE’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Project... What comes next?

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - For 45 years, MOTE has been monitoring sea turtles along the Suncoast. From critically endangered, to threatened, to least concerned. Now, after nearly half a century, here is a look at what they’ve learned locally and if they’ve seen any improvement.“We have seen improvement over the last 45 years which makes us really happy because that shows our conservation efforts are working! We have seen a rise in nests and that has been so wonderful to see. Last year our record by a long shot. We saw over 5,700 nests which is something that this area really never sees.” - Kathryn Gentile, Public Relations Coordinator, MOTEThat last year being 2025… As far as 2026, Gentile said that the majority of the nests were located in Venice and also preformed well with the numbers. Mote Marine researchers identify disease-resistant corals in largest lab study of its kindIn the next 45 years, Gentile says MOTE is excited to keep learning and seeing nest numbers rise on the Suncoast.