Latest news with #MoteMarineLaboratory
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sarasota's Smart City Initiative recognized with international award
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Last month, the City of Sarasota was recognized by Smart Cities Connect with an international award for its Smart City Initiative, aimed at improving resiliency, connectivity, and safety. The city in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory, monitors beach conditions including red tide in real time. Locals and visitors are able to access up-to-date data daily from 17 locations citywide. This can range from beach conditions and weather to the surf and crowd size at a beach. New affordable housing community in Winter Haven offers people a way out of homelessness As part of the initiative, the city also launched internet at four city parks. The Wi-Fi access is free to users at Arlington Park, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, Payne Park, and Bayfront Park. Officials say they saw a big uptick in usership following last years devastating hurricanes. The city has also been utilizing AI software at 16 intersections across the city, aimed at improving safety. The cameras give city officials real-time data 24/7 of how drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians make their way through each intersection. 'This system detects unsafe behaviors, like rolling stops, failure to yield, and improper use of crosswalks and bike lanes,' City Engineer Nikesh Patel said. 'This data helps us design safer intersections and make the smart improvements that protect everyone sharing the road. We can use this data to improve signal timing, signage, and intersection operations to encourage safe and legal crossing. We use this data to adjust signal striping, signage, and operation improvement to promote safer crossing. It also helps coordinate enforcement outreach with the Sarasota Police Department.' The technology at those 16 intersections can also communicate directly with drivers in newer cars equipped with certain technology. 'These roadside units send real time alerts to drivers when pedestrians, cyclists or scooters are detected ahead,' Patel explained. 'Our drive is to really save peoples lives and reduce the amount of serious crashes and fatalities throughout the city.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mote Marine's largest single snook release happens in waters of Sarasota
The Brief Recreational salt water fishing brings in around $10 million each year to the state of Florida. One of the top five sought-out species fishermen are looking to hook is snook. The 3,000 juvenile snook released into Phillippi Creek are a part of 28,000 snook that have been released throughout the last 2 weeks in Sarasota Bay. SARASOTA, Fla. - Recreational salt water fishing brings in around $10 million each year to the state of Florida. The backstory One of the top five sought-out species fishermen are looking to hook is snook. Every year, the snook population faces threats. Mote Marine Laboratory has been working for more than 20 years to make sure populations thrive. They've hit a record-breaking milestone this week. Taken out by buckets and released in Phillippi Creek. Juvenile snook gives Schloesser, the program manager for Fisheries, Ecology and Enhancement with Mote Marine Laboratory, hope. "Snook are susceptible to red tides and cold stuns that can cause mass mortality. There's also a lot of fishing pressure on snook. So we want to be able to release juvenile snook to keep those fisheries healthy," said Schloesser. The 3,000 juvenile snook released into Phillippi Creek are a part of 28,000 snook that have been released throughout the last 2 weeks in Sarasota Bay. Making it the largest release in the program's history. "It's really the culmination of not just the eight or nine months of rearing these fish, but it's the culmination of 10 years of effort to get to this point where we could put out such a large number of fish and help out our local fisheries," said Schloesser. Each release site is hand-picked for its conditions. They often include areas with mangrove-lined shorelines and protected coves with habitat and a food source for the growing snook. What they're saying "All of our tidal creek systems are really productive. These are natural nursery habitats for wild juvenile snook. We are kind of putting our hatchery snook in the right places that you would expect wild juveniles at this particular time at this particular size," he said. It can take between four and six years before the juvenile snook can be seen on your fishing line. Each one that navigates its way to adulthood is a promising sign for years and generations to come. "It's about having healthy ecosystems, and it's about having people being able to connect with the waters in their backyard," said Schloesser. The Source FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon did the interviews and research for the story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
USF researchers among first to identify viruses linked to red tide, which could help predict future blooms
The Brief Researchers at USF are among the first to identify viruses associated with red tide, which could help experts predict future blooms. Just last month, Mote Marine Laboratory officials were monitoring red tide on Lido Beach where plenty of dead fish had washed ashore. With these viruses identified, researchers can study how these viruses influence or affect Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Researchers at the University of South Florida are among the first to identify viruses associated with red tide, which could help experts predict future blooms. The USF team partnered with experts from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) to collect water samples containing red tide off the coast of southwest Florida. RELATED: Dead fish washing ashore on Lido Beach as Mote Marine Laboratory confirms red tide "We process the seawater samples in the lab, and we extract RNA and DNA from them to identify viruses associated with red tide blooms," scientific researcher Dr. Jean Lim told FOX 13. Dig deeper Red tide can kill fish and make humans sick. Just last month, Mote Marine Laboratory officials were monitoring red tide on Lido Beach where plenty of dead fish had washed ashore. With these viruses now identified, researchers can study how these viruses influence or affect Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "So whether [the virus] inhibits the growth of Karenia brevis or even kills Karenia brevis. So that is the next very challenging step," Lim said. Right now, experts rely on satellite imagery, water samples, and ocean circulation models to forecast the movement of red tide blooms. But, they're always looking for more tools to add to the toolbox. "We know that it is a recurring problem that's not going to go away," Lim said of red tide. What's next Moving forward, Lim and her team will study the extent these viruses could control red tide. For example, whether an increased number of certain viruses could suggest a red tide bloom is about to begin. READ:Mote Marine Laboratory sees a 70% kill rate during mitigation field testing "Basically, the goal is to create better approaches to be able to forecast Karenia brevis blooms," Lim said. Lim and her colleagues' study identifying viruses was recently published in the American Society for Microbiology's journal mSphere. The Source The information in this story was gathered through an interview with Dr. Jean Lim as well as the study published mSphere. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. Pete City Council commits to not 'going backwards' on plastic straw ban
The Brief A St. Pete city council member introduced an agenda item to look at lifting an ordinance that banned single-use plastic straws back in 2018. He cited concerns over the legality of the ordinance following President Trump's executive order that ended the "forced use of paper straws." The issue brought dozens of St. Pete residents to city hall, none of whom were in favor of changing the city's ban. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Many in the St. Petersburg community thought the paper vs. plastic straw debate ended in 2018, because that's when the city passed an ordinance banning single-use plastic straws. However, the issue reignited on Thursday during a council meeting. St. Pete Council Member Corey Givens Jr. introduced an agenda item to look at lifting that ban. He cited concerns with the legality of it, following President Donald Trump's executive order ending the "forced use of paper straws." READ: Mote Marine Laboratory's Coral Gene Bank works to preserve coral species Local perspective The issue brought dozens of St. Pete residents back to city hall. None of them were in favor of changing the city's ban. They all spoke in favor of what the city did seven years ago, and many characterized relitigating the issue as a "waste of time." "This is on the right side of how we need to take better care of this earth," said one neighbor. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Others pointed to the positive impact it has had on the business community and how non-plastic straw technology has evolved. They voiced concerns about a healthy and clean environment, sustainability and the threats microplastics pose to marine life and humans alike. "In the seven years that have passed, microplastics have become more of a public health crisis in Tampa Bay, we know that trillions of microplastics exist in the environment- working their way up the food chain," said one speaker. The other side During some tense exchanges between council members, Givens spoke about his intentions on the ordinance. "It's pointless to have an ordinance that infringes on individual rights and civil liberties without having the conversation with the entire community," he said. MORE: You can eat these 5 invasive animals to help population control, US Fish & Wildlife Service says Attorneys for the city said that, legally, the president's executive order against the "forced use of paper straws" has no impact on the city's ordinance. "It speaks to federal use for procurement practices," an attorney for the city explained. Dig deeper Several local environmental groups have tacked the impact they've seen since the ban, with a 700% reduction in plastic straws removed from local waterways. No one on council supported revisiting the ban on plastic straws. "I am not willing to go backwards. This is a policy that needs to stay on our books," said St. Pete Council Member Brandi Gabbard. In 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis left the use of plastic straws up to local governments, by vetoing a bill that sought to take that right from local municipalities. The Source The information in this story was gathered during a St. Pete city council meeting. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mote Marine Laboratory sees a 70% kill rate during mitigation field testing
The Brief Two products developed by the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative called Clear and Xtreme were launched by Mote Marine Laboratory. The products produced a 70% kill rate of the red tide in two Venice canals, inspiring optimism from scientists. Scientists say they need to take this success and test the kill rates of more red tides in canals and waterways in Venice and the state. VENICE, Fla. - Dead fish floated along two canals in Venice as toxins from red tide kept residents inside. "One of the most impactful things was standing on the seawalls with the residents right next to where we were deploying," said Kevin Claridge, Mote Marine Laboratory's vice president for Sponsored Research and Coastal Policy Programs. READ: Florida Wingstop manager throws hot grease, ranch dressing at customers during argument The backstory After about five years of research, non-stop testing and finally receiving regulatory approval, Mote Marine Laboratory deployed two products from the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative. "Many of them were saying it was unbearable to be out and just sit on their patio and enjoy the nice day they were having because of the red tide," said Claridge. The products, called Clear and Xtreme, were developed by Mote Scientists Dr. Dana Wetzel, Dr. Richard Pierce and the Heartland Energy Group before being used in the canals. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "The two products we were working with are plant-based natural compounds. We devised a special deployment mechanism in partnership with a company that does oil spill and hazard waste cleanup," said Claridge. Dig deeper Testing started immediately, and the results were exciting. "A 70% kill rate of the Karenia brevis. That's a win for us. I think it's a pretty good suppression of Karenia. You won't completely knock it out of the water column, and we don't want to eliminate it from the natural environment, but you want to knock it back where it's causing the environment's ecological impacts," said Claridge. Mote Marine Laboratory's President and CEO Dr. Michael Crosby said he didn't doubt what would happen. READ: Trial set to begin for woman whose car went airborne killing passenger "This stuff works and does no greater harm to the environment than the red tide is doing," said Crosby. What's next Mote Marine Laboratory has other products to deploy pending review and approval from the EPA. They're hoping to scale up deployment to an active bloom. "This won't be a success if we can only do a canal or two. We have to be able to really view this a little more as a military operation and being able to attack with deployment of these compounds and methods wherever that red tide is," said Crosby. The Source FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon collected the information in this story. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
