Mote Prepares to Close City Island Aquarium Ahead of Major Move to New Mote SEA Facility
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is entering the final stages of its long-anticipated relocation from City Island to the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park by UTC.
The current aquarium will close its doors to visitors on July 6 as staff begin the intricate process of transferring marine life and operations to the new state-of-the-art facility. While no exact opening date has been set, Mote officials say the move depends on a carefully timed sequence of environmental and biological preparations.
Before animals can inhabit the new exhibits, the artificial aquatic environments must reach a stable and precise balance in water chemistry. These systems require the development and stabilization of critical microbial life support communities, which are essential to the health of the marine species housed at Mote.
Once these systems are fully functional, the next step is to quarantine, transfer, and acclimate animals from the current facility. Mote has emphasized that the process will prioritize animal health and safety at every stage. Each species will undergo a dedicated quarantine protocol before being introduced into its new habitat, where veterinary staff will monitor their adjustment to the environment.
Mote SEA’s opening date will only be confirmed once all resident animals are safely relocated and fully acclimated to their new surroundings.
The new facility represents a major expansion of Mote's educational and scientific mission, aiming to enhance public access to marine science while supporting ongoing research and conservation efforts.
