ROV Deployment And Reef Surveys

PROJECT OVERVIEW

On March 29, 2022, SeaKeepers assisted Nova Southeastern University’s Professor Paul Arena, and student researchers Michael McDonough, Colleen McMaken, and Caleigh Cradelock to deploy a commercial-grade mini ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) from Research Vessel (R/V) DISCOVERY. This was our first outing with R/V DISCOVERY, a 49' Millennia power catamaran, donated to SeaKeepers.

The eventual aim of this team of researchers is to provide information on the fish communities that utilize a relatively unknown and unexplored deepwater habitat. Due to its depth, SCUBA surveys are restricted, thus an ROV unit could be utilized to record video surveys of these areas. The goal is to compare fish assemblages associated with various benthic habitats in the mesophotic zone. Recent bathymetric mapping and submersible dives have discovered an area of deep reef covered by spoil produced by the dredging of the Port Everglades Inlet. Areas to the North and South of this buried area remain unaffected and in a natural condition.

This was the tenth outing of the project and these surveys will continue on a monthly basis.