Mote Marine Laboratory Awards $365K Coral Reef Grants

Mote Marine Laboratory distributed $365,000 through its 2026 Protect Our Reefs License Plate Grant Program to fund coral research and restoration projects across Florida.

Eckerd College, SCUBAnauts International, the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and Mote's research teams received funding for coral resilience studies, Caribbean King Crab thermal physiology research, coral recruit survival work, and ciliate impact studies in coral nurseries.

"Every Florida driver who purchases a Protect Our Reefs license plate directly supports this work," said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote's president and CEO.

Over 20 years, Mote's grant program has awarded more than $8 million to support over 350 coral projects conducted by Florida-based organizations and more than 100 institutions worldwide. Mote receives $25 for each specialty plate sold.

Florida's coral reef stretches 350 miles along the coast and serves as the only barrier reef system in the continental United States. The reef protects against storm surge and supports more than 6,000 marine species. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates the reef generates $8.5 billion in asset value, $4.4 billion in local sales, and $2 billion in income while supporting 70,400 jobs.

Coral cover has declined sharply over four decades due to ocean warming, acidification, and disease.

Florida residents can purchase the specialty license plate at mote.org/reef-plate.