Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is one of the oldest marine research laboratories in Florida. Initially focused on sharks, Mote’s research has expanded over the decades to include things like the effects of human-made and natural toxic substances on humans and on the environment, the health of wild fisheries, developing sustainable and successful fish restocking techniques and food production technologies, and the development of ocean technology to help us better understand the health of the overall environment.
Its research programs also focus on understanding the population dynamics of manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and coral reefs, and on conservation and restoration efforts related to these species and ecosystems.
We meet the new Senior Scientist in Mote's Research Division, Dr. Demian Chapman, who will also serve as the Manager for the Sharks & Rays Conservation Research Program, and hold the title of Perry W. Gilbert Chair in Shark Research. The previous program manager, Dr. Robert Hueter, has retired but will remain involved with Mote as a Senior Scientist Emeritus.
Dr. Chapman was recently an Associate Professor at Florida International University in the Department of Biological Science, and was the lead scientist for the international initiative, Global FinPrint, which is the world’s largest-ever shark survey.
