Fire destroys research facility at Mote Marine
Friday, July 21, 2006
The cause of the blaze is unclear.
A fire burned the Mote Marine Laboratory Aquaculture Park in south Sarasota to the ground Thursday night.
Researchers raise various species of fish at the park. While no researchers were inside the building when it went up in flames, many watched it and many of their precious fish burn to the ground.
About one-third of the park's 70 tons of sturgeon were wiped out. Those fish are used for food, restocking efforts and research.
"It's hard to see something you've worked so hard on take a hit," said Mote Marine public relations manager Nadine Slimak.
The fire affected about 5 percent of the laboratory's projects and sets Mote Marine researchers back about three years.
Investigators are assessing the damage and trying to figure out the cause of the blaze.
"What we do is look at the least damage to the most damage and when we get close to the most damage we're pretty close to where this fire started," said state fire marshal Max Melendez Jr.
Mote Marine officials say it's fortunate the fire was contained to one
Slimak isn't sure what the future holds for the burned-down facility.
building, but the next step for the state-of-the-art aquaculture park is unclear.
"Honestly, it's so new, we haven't even had time to figure out what's next," said Slimak.
While rebuilding is a likely option, the not-for-profit research center may need a helping hand financially to restore the aquaculture park. If you'd like to help Mote Marine recover, call the laboratory at (941) 388-4441.
Friday, July 21, 2006
The cause of the blaze is unclear.
A fire burned the Mote Marine Laboratory Aquaculture Park in south Sarasota to the ground Thursday night.
Researchers raise various species of fish at the park. While no researchers were inside the building when it went up in flames, many watched it and many of their precious fish burn to the ground.
About one-third of the park's 70 tons of sturgeon were wiped out. Those fish are used for food, restocking efforts and research.
"It's hard to see something you've worked so hard on take a hit," said Mote Marine public relations manager Nadine Slimak.
The fire affected about 5 percent of the laboratory's projects and sets Mote Marine researchers back about three years.
Investigators are assessing the damage and trying to figure out the cause of the blaze.
"What we do is look at the least damage to the most damage and when we get close to the most damage we're pretty close to where this fire started," said state fire marshal Max Melendez Jr.
Mote Marine officials say it's fortunate the fire was contained to one
Slimak isn't sure what the future holds for the burned-down facility.
building, but the next step for the state-of-the-art aquaculture park is unclear.
"Honestly, it's so new, we haven't even had time to figure out what's next," said Slimak.
While rebuilding is a likely option, the not-for-profit research center may need a helping hand financially to restore the aquaculture park. If you'd like to help Mote Marine recover, call the laboratory at (941) 388-4441.
I had the pleasure of visiting there this spring, whatta shame!
