We really enjoyed our time as Dr. Kevan Main, Director of Mote’s Center for Aquaculture R&D, gave us a tour of their facilities.  It was a wonderful and unique opportunity to get an insider’s tour at Mote Marine Labs and its MAP facilities. In mid 2009, USF College of Marine Science and Mote Marine Labs announced a landmark affiliation agreement that will allow two of the state’s leading research institutions to join forces in new science ventures, provide expanded learning programs and create economic development opportunities for the region and state.

Our students enjoyed an afternoon learning about the latest in aquaculture research of sturgeon fisheries. The MAP lab looks to build innovations in filtering systems, especially for fish farms, and other types of marine food source. The MAP facility raises sturgeon fishes and then harvest them at various levels of its life cycles.

This new affiliation opens up more opportunities to learn of potential ventures in aquaculture fields that may lead to opportunities for commercialization.

And that’s where our program comes into play.

Another event tour will be planned for the summer of the main Mote Marine Lab facility.

We hope to make this a regular club event as USF and Mote Marine Labs look to build a working relationship and take innovation to commercialization.