Key Largo Shark Survey
A day on the water with OFI researchers showed how drone surveys reveal wildlife that can be easy to miss from a boat.
A different view of the shallows
On February 3, 2024, a small group of guests joined Ocean First Institute’s research team in Key Largo. The team watched for sharks from the boat and used a drone to survey the shallow water.
From above, OFI researcher Ethan Dewald recorded a green sea turtle near the boat and a nurse shark resting beside a submerged branch. The aerial view picked up wildlife that was hard to see from the deck.
What the team recorded
Researchers saw sharks at the surface and recorded additional animals in the drone survey. The team did not catch or tag sharks that day. The camera still documented where animals were present and offered a closer look at how they use shallow habitat.
Drone surveys are one way to complement boat-based observations. In clear, shallow water, an overhead camera can cover areas the team cannot see well from the boat.