ROV Deployment and Reef Surveys
DISCOVERY Yacht Greenline 48'
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
September 15, 2021
Research Team
Michael McDonough, M.S. Candidate, Sydney Panzarino, M.S.
Purpose of Research
The purpose of this study is to observe the impact of dredging Port Everglades on the health of surrounding Florida reefs.
Duration of Project
2018 - Present
Project Overview
On September 15th 2021, The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers) assisted Nova Southeastern University's Dr. Paul Arena, and researchers Michael McDonough and Sydney Panzarino in the seventh outing of an ongoing project that began in 2018, to monitor the health of Florida reefs. A commercial-grade mini Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) was deployed from DISCOVERY Yacht (D/Y) Greenline 48' to further investigate what bathymetric mapping and submersible dives have recently discovered as an area of deep reef that has been covered by the spoil produced by dredging in the Port Everglades Inlet.
The Greenline 48' Coupe is a hybrid yacht that allowed this trip to be powered fully by electric propulsion. The reef area to the north and south of the buried area serve as controlled variables for comparison being that they have been unaffected by the dredging and have remained in a natural condition. Because of the area's depth, SCUBA surveys are restricted, and the ROV was used to record video surveys of these areas which allows for observance of fish communities that are associated with various benthic habitats in the mesophotic zone.
Application
Long term, data collected in this study can be used in the future to implement more informed dredging procedures in order to minimize the destruction on surrounding reefs and protect the overall health of local marine ecosystems.
Short term, the graduate students helping to conduct this research have presented the results of their work to Professor Arena’s Bio 3200 Ecology class since 2019. The last meeting of the course focuses on ecological research and the ROV study, impacting the next generation of marine scientists.
Expedition Goal
The goal of this expedition is to use the video footage from the ROV deployment to compare fish assemblages and observe fish communities in a relatively unknown and unexplored deep-water habitat.
Location
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Partner Sites
Video
