Mote Marine Laboratory is advancing the fight against red tide with cutting-edge mitigation tools, moving from lab research to real-world application. On Wednesday, researchers showcased three newly developed technologies designed to tackle harmful algae blooms.

“This has been a long journey—four years in the making,” said Dr. Dana Wetzel, senior scientist and program manager of Mote’s Environmental Lab for Forensics.

After testing 50 different compounds, Wetzel developed “Clear,” a natural biocide capable of eliminating harmful algal blooms like red tide.

“In the lab, we saw total mortality in less than 15 minutes,” she explained.

“Clear” is one of three ready-to-deploy tools.

“If we had a red tide today, everything you see here could be deployed immediately. These tools are all approved,” said Dr. Michael Crosby, Mote Marine’s president and CEO.

Another innovation, “Extreme,” is a natural, non-toxic water treatment developed by Dr. Richard Pierce, senior scientist for ecotoxicology and associate vice president for research at Mote, in partnership with Heartland Energy Group.

“When you spray our product on the water, that toxic smell disappears instantly. It’s also highly effective against blue-green algae, breaking down the mat and eliminating the odor on contact,” said David Spiers, senior global product manager at Heartland Energy Group.

The third tool, “Ozonix,” employs advanced bubble technology to neutralize red tide contaminants.

“We take oxygen from the air, combine it with cavitation to create nanobubbles, and use them to break down harmful toxins,” explained Steve McKenzie, lead technician at Prescott Clean Water.

While the technology is ready, Crosby emphasized that the decision to deploy these solutions will be made by state and federal agencies.

“We are confident in these technologies. Right now, we’re focused on scaling them up for large-scale deployment, but Mote won’t be making the call on when or where they’re used,” he said.

Beyond these three innovations, nearly two dozen additional technologies are in development, poised to revolutionize Florida’s ability to combat red tide.

“This is a game-changer—not just for Florida, but for the entire country and the world. It’s about protecting our environment, economy, and quality of life,” Crosby added.

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(Image credit: Mote Marine Laboratory)