MOTE MARINE LABORATORY AND SUNDEW TO COLLABORATE ON NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR HAZARDOUS ALGAL BLOOMS

Mote Marine Laboratory and Sundew to collaborate on natural solutions for hazardous algal blooms. Sundew has entered a collaboration with Mote Marine Laboratory to develop natural solutions for hazardous algal blooms ( or Red Tides) based on Sundew’s marine microbial extracts.

As part of the collaboration, Mote will provide $121,000 of funding to support studies in Florida under the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative.

HABs are caused by the blooming of certain microorganisms and are a global phenomenon. Karenia brevis (K. brevis), a single-celled organism belonging to the dinoflagellate taxonomic group, is the most common cause of red tide in Florida.

Red tides can cause seawater to appear red or brown and organisms such as K. brevis can produce potent neurotoxins that are harmful to the health of humans and marine life, and
contaminate shellfish. When wind and waves disrupt the cells of K. brevis, brevetoxins can be released into the air as aerosols, causing respiratory irritation or exacerbating existing respiratory
conditions in individuals exposed to the airborne toxins.

The collaboration builds on initial work by Sundew, Mote and the Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences (East Boothbay, Maine), demonstrating that certain marine microbial extracts manufactured by
Sundew are extremely effective in controlling various HAB species, including K. brevis, whilst not affecting other marine species and degrading rapidly in water to harmless components.

The collaboration represents a significant international partnership between Florida’s premier marine research institution and a Danish industrial biotech company. It builds upon Denmark’s
leading capabilities in life sciences for planetary health whilst developing natural, cost-effective and environmentally benign solutions to address Florida’s red tide challenges.

Funding comes from the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative, established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019. The
initiative coordinates public and private research efforts to develop prevention, control, and mitigation technologies for red tide impacts on Florida’s coastal environments and communities.

“Mote Marine Laboratory is dedicated to developing innovative, science-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of red tide,” said Kevin Claridge, VP for Sponsored Research & Coastal
Policy Programmes “While this collaboration with Sundew is in the early stages of development, we are excited about its potential. By combining Mote’s extensive expertise in marine science with
Sundew’s innovative approach, we aim to advance natural, sustainable strategies that protect Florida’s coastal ecosystems, marine life, and the communities that depend on them.”

Sundew CEO, Giovanni Salerno, added:

“We are honoured to partner with Mote Marine Laboratory on this crucial environmental initiative. The project allows us to apply our natural solution and precision fermentation expertise to
address one of Florida’s most pressing marine challenges. It is an important part of our mission to use modern biological technologies to solve aquatic ecosystem problems.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote Marine Laboratory are leading the Initiative, coordinating the development, testing, and implementation of innovative, environmentally sustainable technologies to control and mitigate red tide impacts.

About Mote Marine Laboratory

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium has a nearly 70-year legacy as an independent, non-profit, 501(c)3 global marine research and science education institution. Mote began in 1955 and flourished on the foundational pillars of “Passion, Partnership and Philanthropy” – the passion of a single researcher, Dr. Eugenie Clark, her partnership with the community and philanthropic support, first of the Vanderbilt family, later with the significant support and guidance of the William R. Mote family, and today through donations by thousands of individuals who believe in the mission of Mote.

Today, Mote has grown into eight campuses stretching from Tampa Bay to Key West, with a ninth new campus, the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA), currently under construction.
Mote has more than 25 diverse world-class research programs studying oceans locally and internationally, with an emphasis on positively impacting conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The current Mote Aquarium in Sarasota showcases Mote Research and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 pm, 365 days a year. Learn more at mote.org.

About Sundew ApS

Sundew ApS is a Danish industrial biotechnology company using precision fermentation to develop sustainable solutions for aquatic environments. The blue economy is worth $1.5 trillion but suffers (and causes) significant problems in aquatic ecosystems. Sundew uses modern biology to address these issues, allowing them to produce products which are effective, affordable and environmentally benign. As well as red tides, they are focused on addressing aquatic invasive species (where they have a partnership with the US Department of the Interior to control invasive carp) and on aquatic pests and diseases, particularly those affecting aquaculture.

Image credit: Sundew. Red Tide approaching La Jolla, California