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Plants Grown at Mote Aquaculture Park to be Included in North Lido Beach Restoration on Saturday

July 9th, 2011


Volunteers Planting Spartina Alterniflora

SARASOTA, FL – July 9, 2011 – In a pilot project funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Sea Grant program, Mote and partners, including Aquatic Plants of Florida, are growing red mangroves, salt wort, spartina and others using solid fish waste from the production of saltwater fish. By using this waste to feed saltwater plants — and doing it on a large enough scale to translate to commercial operations — this innovative system could serve as a model for sustainable marine aquaculture efforts across the nation and beyond.

“For years, Mote has developed recirculating aquaculture technology to reduce the environmental impact of producing seafood — but there’s still is an impact if you can’t use the solid waste,” said Dr. Kevan Main, Director of Mote’s Center for Aquaculture Research and Development and leader of the project. “When I show people around Mote’s facility and point out that the saltwater is completely recirculated, some observant person will ask, ‘Where do the solids go?’ Now we’re using them up to grow plants for coastal environments.”

So far, the plant growth at MAP has “exceeded expectations,” reports Gil Sharell, founder and president of Aquatic Plants of Florida. “The growth is exceptional and maintenance is less than traditional propagation at our farm. We’re evaluating whether to expand the program later this year with Dr. Main and her team by constructing another plant production greenhouse at MAP.”

As part of the restoration, almost two hundred salt-tolerant plants — like saltwort and  smooth cordgrass — from MAP will be used.

Having plants grown at Mote used locally as part of an important restoration undertaking is rewarding, Main said. “The idea is to be as sustainable as possible in the production of fish for food,” she said. “Being able to grow plants for restoration and have them planted here locally in Sarasota is just an extra reward for us.”

Funding for the plants being used in the restoration is provided by Sarasota County. Additional sponsors for the restoration are the Florida Native Plant Society, which is donating food for 60 volunteers and the American Littoral Society, which is donating 250 plants from their nursery.

About the Restoration:
The new tidal tributary at North Lido Park was completed in March. The restoration project improved 30 acres on the 70-acre site. The effort removed non-native vegetation, excavated the tidal wetland, contoured the upland area, created dunes and planted thousands of native plants.

The tidal wetland was created to provide essential habitat for estuarine-dependent fish species, according to Dr. Jay Leverone, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s staff scientist. “The restoration also provides improved habitat for birds, reptiles and other wildlife,” he said.

Major funding for the restoration project comes from Southwest Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Individuals and organizations supporting the project include the Lido Shores Property Owners Association, Lido Key Residents Association, Sarasota Audubon Society, and Captain Jeffrey Karr with the Sarasota Police Department and Sarasota County. 

Since its inception in 1989, SBEP has been involved with more than 200 projects related to habitat or water improvement within the Sarasota Bay watershed spanning Sarasota and Manatee County. A dozen projects are currently in planning, permitting or construction phase. Inquires are welcome at 941-955-8085 or sara@sarasotabay.org.

Media Contact: Nadine Slimak, director of communications, nadines@mote.org or 941-388-4441, ext. 417