Marine outing

Anna Maria Elementary first-graders Trey Ellison, left, Cooper Patel and Aiden LaMountain observe a spiny lobster during a Jan. 31 field trip to Mote Marine Aquarium on City Island in Sarasota. Principal Mike Masiello noted the field trip was associated with the Guy Harvey Academy at the school. He said students traveled to Mote to learn about the negative impacts of invasive species, such as lionfish, and about positive actions that can be taken to restore or preserve Earth’s natural resources.

Layla Jane White, 7, touches a live epaulette shark as it swims through a tank display with other marine life Jan. 31 at the Mote Marine Aquarium during an AME-Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Sciences first-grade field trip to City Island in Sarasota. Islander Photos: Courtesy Sarah Sparling