MarineQuest 2026 Feb. 5-7; Free Public Day Feb. 7, Stewardship Reminder

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute opened its doors Feb. 7 for MarineQuest, the annual free public open house that spotlights Florida marine research and conservation. The event ran as part of a Feb. 5-7 program, with the public day held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue SE, St. Petersburg.

Visitors encountered hands-on science across touch tanks, live critter demonstrations, and a range of displays that included sharks, rays, manatees, coral, sea turtles, seagrasses and alligators. Organizers described MarineQuest as “part science exhibition, part behind-the-scenes tour and part family adventure,” and promotional material invited guests to “hang with sharks and rays” and to “speak with some of Florida’s top researchers.” Photographs on the institute’s event page showed children using microscopes, guests handling a large conch at a touch tank, and young visitors interacting with preserved shark specimens.

MarineQuest has been running since 1995 and this year marked its 31st iteration, a sign of sustained public engagement with state research efforts. The FWC frames the event as an opportunity to share its work and mission: conducting collaborative research and monitoring to provide timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida’s fish and wildlife resources. That outreach role carries practical consequences for Hernando County residents who rely on regional fisheries, coastal recreation, and water quality for both livelihoods and leisure.

The event also included school programming: MarineQuest School Daze ran Feb. 5-6 and offered grade 4-8 students a free, hands-on field trip to “become a scientist for the day.” School Daze required registration and reservation requests were being accepted through the institute’s registration form.

Logistics aimed to make attendance manageable for downtown visitors. Attendees were encouraged to use SouthCore Parking Garage at 101 First Ave. S., where a free shuttle connected the garage to the event entrance. Limited disabled parking was available on First St. S. between Sixth Ave. S. and Eighth Ave. S.

Local coverage published Feb. 5 also included a reminder that nominations for local environmental stewardship were being accepted; that notice did not include details on the award name, deadlines, eligibility or how to submit nominations. Readers seeking nomination details or further information about programming and exhibitors can consult the FWC’s MarineQuest event page or the FWC Research social pages on Facebook and Instagram at @FWCResearch.

For Hernando County households, MarineQuest reinforced an ongoing link between regional science and everyday coastal life: a free, family-focused moment to learn about the species and habitats that influence local recreation, fisheries and environmental policy. Future follow-ups will clarify the stewardship nomination process and any related recognition tied to MarineQuest or local conservation partners.