“Swim” With Mote’s President & CEO at the World Oceans Day Family Festival June 7 at Mote Marine Laboratory

Mote’s President & CEO, Dr. Michael P. Crosby will be swimming with the fishes Saturday during the World Oceans Day Family Festival in The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory as he jumps in the SharkTracker exhibit to celebrate our oceans.

Dr. Crosby is scheduled to dive from 11:30 a.m. to noon and event attendees are invited to stand in front of the exhibit (outside of it, that is!) and take their pictures with him as he holds a sign that states: “I Celebrated World Oceans Day at Mote Aquarium.”

This event takes place as part of a worldwide ocean celebration that spotlights the ocean’s deep connection to the human spirit and the boundless inspirational power of our natural world’s greatest resource. World Oceans Day, officially celebrated on June 8, was created in 1992 at the Earth Summit and declared a holiday by the United Nations in 2009. Here at Mote, we make a big splash each year.

This year’s event will feature games and crafts focused on green practices, marine science and conservation by Mote and other local organizations.

Official sponsors of World Oceans Day are Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Ocean Project, Dr. Seuss and Random House Children’s Books.

Sponsors of Mote’s 2014 event include: Critter Ridge Landscape Contractors, Herald-Tribune Media  Group, Insurance & Benefits Consultants (IBC) and Sam’s Club.

Details for Visitors:

• What: World Oceans Day Family Festival
• When: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7
• Where: The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota
• Cost: Free with admission to Mote. Admission prices at: www.mote.org/visit

Founded in 1955, Mote Marine Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 research organization based in Sarasota, Fla., with field stations in eastern Sarasota County, Charlotte Harbor and the Florida Keys. Donations to Mote are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. 
Mote is dedicated to today’s research for tomorrow’s oceans with an emphasis on world-class research relevant to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity, healthy habitats and natural resources. Research programs include studies of human cancer using marine models, the effects of man-made and natural toxins 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 environment. Mote 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. Mote’s vision includes positively impacting public policy through science-based outreach and education. Showcasing this research is The Aquarium at Mote, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 365 days a year. Learn more at www.mote.org.

Mote Marine Laboratory meets all requirements specified by the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act. A copy of the official registration #SC01050 and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-800-435-7352 within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.