FAU Harbor Branch News

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August 2023

Studying Grouper Mating Calls

New research from FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute found that the current marine management zones in the U.S. Caribbean designated to protect grouper species are missing some important areas.

Groupers are known to gather by the hundreds, or even thousands, to spawn during certain times of year. Recent evidence suggests that some reproductive times are expanding beyond the months and locations where the managed areas were established.

Using an autonomous mobile wave glider equipped with hydrophone recorders and a machine-learning fish sound detector and classifier tool called Fish Acoustic Detection Algorithm Research, scientists located spawning activity well beyond the zones of protection. Continued monitoring of groupers’ new spawning activities is vital to promoting population recovery.

Decoding Eagle Rays' Diet

The whitespotted eagle ray crunches its way through the day. Its powerful jaws smash through shells in the blink of an eye. For years, their steady munching has been a source of frustration for hard clam farmers who consider this species a threat to their production efforts.

A new study from FAU Harbor Branch, in collaboration with Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, is the first to unlock the secrets to what the rays are really eating in the Indian River Lagoon. Researchers combined a visual-based, non-lethal gut content analysis with DNA barcoding to correctly identify what was in the rays’ stomachs. What they found — and, importantly, didn’t find — solves mysteries about the rays’ favorite foods, and possibly exonerates them from their clam-farm-destroying reputation.

Fin of the Month: Mixx

Mixx is a bottlenose dolphin who has been seen in the Indian River Lagoon over many years. In August 2017, she was documented free swimming with a deep, fresh injury to the top of her body just behind her dorsal fin. The Stranding and Population Assessment team at FAU Harbor Branch monitored her healing. Mixx healed well and is still seen in 2023.

If you see dolphins while out on the water, remember to stay 50 yards away. If you see a marine mammal in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at (888) 404-3922.

Photo ID work is permitted under NOAA NMFS LOC #23069 and stranding response is conducted under a Stranding Agreement with NMFS and FAU Harbor Branch under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Share Your Science

Science in Seconds:

New Series Spotlights FAU Research - in Seconds

FAU's Research Communications team is launching a new short video series called Science in Seconds.

Each episode showcases the cutting-edge research, scholarship and creative activity happening across the colleges - all in less than 60 seconds.

If you're interested in being part of this new series, connect with the Research Communications team today and show the world what you're working on for a better tomorrow.

Connect now.

Outreach

Boat Tours

Boat tours with FAU Harbor Branch run year-round on Fridays and Saturdays. So far this summer, an estimated 500 guests and 400 summer campers have set sail on the Discovery. Don't miss this great opportunity to see the Indian River Lagoon from the lens of a marine scientist.

Book now.

Dolphin Spotting Stations

FAU Harbor Branch invites waterfront property owners to participate in the land-based Dolphin Spotter citizen science project by hosting a spotting station. As dolphins swim past the camera, it takes a motion-detected image of their dorsal fins when they break the surface. This allows for 24/7 monitoring of dolphins throughout the lagoon.

Be a Dolphin Spotter

Anyone can be a Dolphin Spotter. Taking photos of dolphins sighted from the shore can help scientific research. Submit photos to the FAU Harbor Branch's Dolphin Spotter project, a land-based citizen science project, and become a certified citizen scientist.

Learn more.

Upcoming Events

Aquaculture

Megan Davis, Ph.D., research professor and principal investigator in the Queen Conch Lab at FAU Harbor Branch, is an expert panelist at the Marine Research Hub’s event “Aquaculture Opportunities in Florida: Food, Restoration, Education and Entertainment.” The event is Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 4:45 p.m. at the Marine Industries Association of South Florida in

Ft. Lauderdale.

Learn more.

Sharks and Rays

Matt Ajemian, Ph.D., associate research professor and principal investigator in the Fisheries Ecology and Conservation Lab at FAU Harbor Branch, is the guest speaker at the Cox Science Center’s “Science on Tap” event on Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach. Ajemian’s topic is “Stealing Sharks and Ravaging Rays? A Scientific Delve Into Their Impacts on Florida Fisheries.” Tickets or registration are not required.

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