Dear *|MERGE6|*

With 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline and more than 500 native species of saltwater fish, Florida is ranked the number one fishing destination in the United States. Nowhere else in the nation is recreational fishing more important to the economy than in Florida. Saltwater sport fishing in Florida generates approximately $7.15 billion and supports nearly 70,000 jobs — the greatest impact for saltwater sport fishing in any state or province in the world.

But in order to ensure we can support recreational fishing for years to come, Mote is working diligently to improve current populations. We are not only working to assess the existing supply, we are developing new sustainable methods that will allow us to raise fish for restocking and for food to relieve pressure on wild populations.

The United States imports 91% of the seafood we consume. For our own U.S. food security and our economy, we need to produce more seafood here in the U.S. Mote’s aquaculture and fisheries research have developed better environmentally sustainable land-based marine and freshwater aquaculture systems that focus on the reuse of water —one of our most precious resources; other studies are finding the best methods to restore wild stocks for important seafood and game fish. The need to solve the critical roadblocks to grow marine fish production in Florida has never been greater than it is today and Mote is helping to lead the charge to solve these problems.

Our aquaculture and fisheries research is just one example of the many ways that Mote makes a difference in the world. I am pleased to share with you our 2013 Annual Report, available here, which provides a more comprehensive view of our work at Mote. Help us to sustain our exceptional research, education and conservation initiatives that allow us to understand, protect and save some of the most treasured resources and species in our planet by investing in our Annual Fund,Waves of Support. A gift of *|MERGE8|* will help us continue to make the world a better place. To donate please visit us here or call 941-388-4441 ext. 415 for assistance.

Thank you for your ongoing and critically important support of Mote. Together we are advancing important objectives and achieving great results.

Sincerely,


Michael P. Crosby, Ph.D., FLS
President & CEO