- SeaKeepers' Vessel DISCOVERY II
FMP Manta Aerial Survey Expedition
- January 4, 2026
- Miami, Florida
Project Overview
Despite being large and charismatic megafauna, manta rays remained largely overlooked and understudied in Florida for many years. That changed in 2016 with the establishment of the Florida Manta Project (FMP), the first research initiative dedicated specifically to understanding Florida’s manta ray populations. Florida is one of the only places in the world known to host both a rare nursery habitat for juvenile mantas and a seasonal aggregation of adults.
FMP’s pioneering work has helped close critical knowledge gaps in manta biology, identified key habitats, and provided essential data to management agencies. Their efforts contributed to the formal description of a new species in 2025, the Atlantic Manta Ray (Mobula yarae). Yet even with this milestone, much remains to be learned about the species’ ecology, population structure, and the threats they face along Florida’s busy coastline.
Application
The Florida Manta Project (FMP), a program of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, leads research on manta rays and guitarfish throughout the eastern United States. Their work aims to fill critical gaps in manta ray life history, provide data to government agencies, and advance conservation and public awareness.
To study these endangered rays, FMP uses a range of scientific methods including drone-based aerial surveys, in-water photo identification of individual mantas, satellite and acoustic telemetry, and genetic sampling. The team also documents threats such as boat strikes and fishing gear entanglement and works closely with local communities by providing educational outreach in schools and raising awareness about the vulnerability of manta populations in Florida.
Expedition Summary
On January 4, 2026, The International SeaKeepers Society supported the Florida Manta Project on a survey mission aboard SeaKeepers’ vessel DISCOVERY II, marking SeaKeepers’ first Scientist-Led Expedition of 2026. Following multiple public reports of manta ray sightings in the days leading up to the expedition, the team mobilized to survey the coastline from Miami Beach north to Hollywood, before returning south toward Fisher Island in Miami.
Using a combination of vessel-based observations and drone-assisted searches, researchers successfully documented one known manta ray. High-quality identification photographs were collected of the individual known as Nina Simone, contributing valuable data to long-term studies of movement patterns, habitat use, and site fidelity in the region. During aerial surveys, the team also observed several manatees along the coastline, as well as a female hammerhead shark foraging in the shallows near Fisher Island.
This rapid-response expedition provided important updates to the Florida Manta Project database and confirmed manta presence along this stretch of coastline during a time of year when sightings are especially valuable. These surveys play a key role in tracking the health of this endangered species and documenting the pressures they face in one of Florida’s most heavily trafficked marine environments.
Location
Miami, Florida
Duration of Project
This project has been ongoing since 2016. Regular surveys began with SeaKeepers in November, 2025.
Leadership
Research Team
Jessica Pate, Research Scientist, Florida Manta Project
Bryant Turffs, Research Assistant, Florida Manta Project
Rose McDonald, Volunteer, Florida Manta Project
Dylann Turffs, Volunteer, Florida Manta Project
Elsa, Citizen Scientist, Florida Manta Project
Aubri Keith, Captain, The International SeaKeepers Society
Orlandini
Partner Sites
Photo Gallery
