Why is one of Florida's worst polluters sponsoring one of the state's most powerful and prominent environmental organizations? 

MOTE's position is that because Red Tide blooms are believed to originate 10-40 miles offshore, away from the direct influence of land-based nutrient pollution, as well as the deliberate dumps of Lake Okeechobee water by the Army Corp of Engineers, human activities should play a minimal if negligible role in the worsening outbreaks. 

But the most accurate and recent research reveals that once moved inshore, blooms use both human-contributed and natural nutrients for growth, rendering the question of where it orginates of far lesser, strictly academic importance. Red tide, like a flame, won't grow or be sustained without fuel. The fuel is coming en masse from the land, and from Lake Okeechobee -- both domains under human control and therefore far from "natural." 

Indeed, Data collected along the southwest coast of Florida between Tampa Bay and Sanibel Island on the abundance of the Red Tide from 1954 to 2002 were examined for spatial and temporal patterns. Red Tide was found to be approximately 20-fold more abundant within 0-5 km of the shoreline than 20-30 km offshore. 

Despite this compelling evidence, MOTE believe the science is too complex and far from settled on the topic. this is why they are focused on the need for more research, as well as more funding for that research. MOTE has already received more than $5.5 million in state funding for red tide research, and appears slated to receive more soon thanks to their friendly relationship with Rick Scott. MOTE's fund-raising efforts are not focused exclusively on research. At present, MOTE is trying to raise 130 million dollars for the construction of a new, 110,000 square foot aquarium which they estimate will require 280 million dollars of direct and indirect expenditures to complete. 

MOTE has received millions of dollars over the years from government grants, public donations, and corporate sponsorships. One of their sponsors is the Mosaic Corporation, who is one of Florida’s worst and most heavily fined polluters, and listed as a "corporate benefactor" on their website. ¹

"Minnesota-based Mosaic Phosphate scrapes off Florida’s surface land to get down to the bones of ancient sea creatures, which contain phosphate. The mining leaves behind a moonscape with scars that are visible from space. The phosphate from these ancient sea sediments is then chemically processed into phosphoric acid used in fertilizer and sold around the world. The process leaves behind massive mountains of radioactive, acidic waste that can tower 50 to 70 feet high. Some two dozen of these mounds are scattered around South-Central Florida, posing a huge environmental risk."

 

“The Facts on Red Tide

 

In media reports, some activists have attempted to link the water from U.S. Sugar’s farms to red tide blooms off the Gulf Coast. The science simply does not support this. Here is what Mote Marine Laboratory, the leading expert on Florida Red Tide, has to say about what causes red tide:⁶

 

"In contrast to the many red tide species that are fueled by nutrient pollution associated with urban or agricultural runoff, there is no direct link between nutrient pollution and the frequency or severity of red tides caused by K. brevis. Florida red tides develop 10-40 miles offshore, away from man-made nutrient sources. Red tides occurred in Florida long before human settlement, and severe red tides were observed in the mid-1900s before the state’s coastlines were heavily developed. However, once red tides are transported inshore, they are capable of using man-made nutrients for their growth" Source:Mote Marine Laboratory, “Florida Red Tide FAQs.“

“Has coastal (nutrient) pollution caused the Florida red tide?

In contrast to the many red tide species that are fueled by nutrient pollution associated with urban or agricultural runoff, there is no direct link between nutrient pollution and the frequency or severity of red tides caused by K. brevis. Florida red tides develop 10-40 miles offshore, away from man-made nutrient sources. Red tides occurred in Florida long before human settlement, and severe red tides were observed in the mid-1900s before the state’s coastlines were heavily developed. However, once red tides are transported inshore, they are capable of using man-made nutrients for their growth.”⁷