Mote Agenda

Get Involved

 

The SCUBAPRO + Mote Reef Restoration program combines education, land-based lab work, coral nursery maintenance, and coral outplanting in a single day certification. Our goal is to demonstrate the importance of data-driven citizen science as a means of scaling reef restoration efforts while enabling you to make a meaningful contribution to our select Florida reefs.

 

Morning

  1. Learn about coral reef ecology, conservation, and restoration techniques at Mote land-based nursery.
  2. Frag coral and practice outplanting technique.
  3. Lunch will be provided at Mote before traveling to dive shop.

Afternoon

  1. 2-Tank Boat Dive with local operator + Mote
    • Dive 1: Coral tree nursery upkeep
    • Dive 2: Outplanting on real ocean reef
  2. Receive Certification


We will track the growth of the coral planted through your photos and videos in our Coral Story page in addition to the data that Mote is tracking behind the scenes.

All outplanting is conducted under Mote permits with Mote representatives on each dive.

 

General Information

Participants must be 15 years or older and hold an advanced open water scuba certification. In addition, all participants must have excellent buoyancy control since we will be working in close proximity with live coral and a sandy bottom. Large cameras are not permitted unless a buddy team alternates between coral work and using the camera.

Both dives are conducted in shallow water with estimated depth of 20-30 Feet (6-9 Meters). Water temperature changes through the year so be sure to check with the dive operator schedule for your trip on recommended exposure protection. The diving portion of the program is subject to reschedule any time at the dive operator’s discretion. Please keep in mind that conditions must be calm in order to safely work with the coral in shallow water.

 

Program Locations

The SCUBAPRO + Mote Reef Restoration Program is offered in Key Largo diving from Islamorada and in Summerland Key diving from Big Pine Key. Each Mote facility is set up to handle our 20-diver groups. The dive boats will also have ample space for divers and equipment.

 

How to Book

Email the Mote Citizen Science team at coralrestoration@mote.org to join one of our reef restoration trips or to learn more about arranging your own SCUBAPRO dealer group trip.