FMP Manta Ray Acoustic Receiver Retrieval

On November 19, 2025, The International SeaKeepers Society assisted the Florida Manta Project to conduct a dedicated field expedition to service and retrieve acoustic telemetry receivers positioned along the coastline from Fort Lauderdale to Miami. These receivers are part of a long-term monitoring array designed to detect tagged manta rays as they move through South Florida’s coastal waters.

Over the course of the expedition, the FMP team located and retrieved multiple receivers, conducting repeated dives and vessel operations to safely bring each unit onboard. Once recovered, every receiver was thoroughly cleaned, inspected, and connected to their data-logging system, allowing them to download months of acoustic detections. These data reveal how many manta rays passed through the region, when they were present, and how they used this highly urbanized stretch of coastline.

After data retrieval, all receivers were serviced and redeployed at their original stations to continue collecting information. This careful process ensures minimal gaps in monitoring and maintains the integrity of our long-term dataset.

The information recovered during this expedition provides essential insights into the movement patterns, habitat use, and residency of manta rays in South Florida—knowledge that directly informs conservation planning, critical habitat identification, and management decisions for this endangered species.