PUNTA GORDA — Mote Marine Laboratory, in a letter to city and Charlotte County officials Wednesday, withdrew its request for BP oil-spill settlement money that had been sought to build an aquarium here, at least until Mote completes a feasibility study.

The study is needed to determine the size, scope and costs of the project before Mote requests funding from the federal RESTORE Act, wrote Dan Bebak, Mote’s vice president of projects.