Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (Mote) is an independent marine research institution comprised of the brightest minds in marine science that are committed to the belief that the conservation and sustainable use of oceans begins with research and education. Founded six decades ago, its scientific team now conducts research in the oceans surrounding all seven of the Earth’s continents. Mote is one of the few independent marine research organizations in the world that pro-actively translates and transfers their science through public outreach and informal science education as part of a full-fledged aquarium, an anchor in their home community of Southwest Florida. With six campuses and field stations extending from Sarasota to Key West, Mote is also one of the world’s few remaining private marine research laboratories having a global reach.