WEBVTT 00:02.300 --> 00:05.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] They are the birds of the sea, 00:05.600 --> 00:07.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% gracefully batting their wings 00:07.500 --> 00:11.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as they glide through the water. 00:11.733 --> 00:14.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Catching a glimpse of the majestic eagle ray 00:14.833 --> 00:18.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is a highlight for boaters and divers alike. 00:18.700 --> 00:20.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Patrick] It looks like they're flying 00:20.666 --> 00:24.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and their spots really makes them stand out. 00:24.933 --> 00:26.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Cecilia] I'm captivated by these rays. 00:26.966 --> 00:28.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% They're absolutely beautiful. 00:28.533 --> 00:32.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They're incredibly strong swimmers. 00:32.200 --> 00:33.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] You look at their wings, 00:33.400 --> 00:36.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I mean, it's just like all muscle. 00:36.766 --> 00:40.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They can hang out in a five-knot current effortlessly. 00:40.566 --> 00:43.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Ariadna] Their capacity of eating hard-shelled prey, 00:43.266 --> 00:45.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that's amazing to me. 00:45.333 --> 00:49.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (gentle music) 00:49.733 --> 00:51.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Found mostly in tropical 00:51.400 --> 00:53.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and subtropical waters, 00:53.500 --> 00:56.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% eagle rays use a variety of habitats. 00:56.666 --> 00:58.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] They're on the reef, they're in the lagoon, 00:58.533 --> 01:00.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they're in the shallowest of waters. 01:00.133 --> 01:02.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Kim] There's five species of pelagic eagle rays 01:02.433 --> 01:03.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% around the world. 01:03.933 --> 01:07.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The eagle ray that we have in the Atlantic Basin 01:07.133 --> 01:08.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and here in the Gulf of Mexico 01:08.433 --> 01:11.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is the whitespotted eagle ray. 01:11.500 --> 01:13.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (gentle music) 01:13.833 --> 01:15.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The whitespotted eagle ray 01:15.533 --> 01:17.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is listed as endangered 01:17.400 --> 01:22.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 01:22.233 --> 01:26.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] However, looking at distinct portions of its range, 01:26.200 --> 01:28.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that status changes, right? 01:28.566 --> 01:34.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So actually in U.S. waters, the species is of least concern. 01:34.233 --> 01:36.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% As you move through Central and South America, 01:36.400 --> 01:38.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% it changes dramatically. 01:38.966 --> 01:41.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Kim] Because in certain places around the world, 01:41.033 --> 01:44.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% they're taken in fisheries. 01:44.166 --> 01:45.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Despite their designation 01:45.666 --> 01:47.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as globally endangered, 01:47.800 --> 01:51.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% relatively little is known about the eagle rays' ecology 01:51.633 --> 01:53.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and life history. 01:53.433 --> 01:55.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Kim] Rays have been very under the radar. 01:55.866 --> 01:59.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And so we like to say we're gonna start a rayvolution. 01:59.300 --> 02:01.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Protected in Florida and Bermuda, 02:01.700 --> 02:05.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% these locations make for great study sites of the animals. 02:05.966 --> 02:07.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Cecilia] We're trying to figure out 02:07.433 --> 02:10.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% what the feeding behavior and the movement behavior 02:10.300 --> 02:12.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% of these rays is like. 02:12.500 --> 02:15.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Kim] And we're learning so much more about them 02:15.433 --> 02:16.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% every day, 02:16.933 --> 02:19.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and we need that data for conservation and management. 02:19.333 --> 02:20.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Researcher 1] No tag. - [Researcher 2] No tag? 02:20.966 --> 02:22.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] What are scientists learning 02:22.666 --> 02:25.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% about whitespotted eagle rays? 02:25.566 --> 02:29.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And how is technology aiding them in this process? 02:29.800 --> 02:52.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (dramatic music) 02:52.566 --> 02:54.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Announcer] Major funding for this program 02:54.533 --> 02:57.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% was provided by The Batchelor Foundation, 02:57.666 --> 03:00.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% encouraging people to preserve and protect 03:00.433 --> 03:03.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources. 03:03.600 --> 03:07.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Additional funding was provided by Trish and Dan Bell 03:07.700 --> 03:10.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and by the Parrot Family Endowment 03:10.333 --> 03:14.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for Environmental Education. 03:14.233 --> 03:20.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (gentle music) 03:20.333 --> 03:23.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Sarasota, on Florida's Gulf Coast, 03:23.500 --> 03:26.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is home to Mote Marine Laboratory, 03:26.333 --> 03:30.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% where Kim Bassos-Hull has been conducting eagle ray research 03:30.866 --> 03:33.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% since 2009. 03:33.266 --> 03:35.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (gentle music) 03:35.966 --> 03:37.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - We're trying to document 03:37.166 --> 03:38.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% what are important habitats for them, 03:38.700 --> 03:40.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% what size classes we're seeing. 03:40.600 --> 03:41.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And then when we do see them, 03:41.900 --> 03:43.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we set a big seine net around them. 03:43.766 --> 03:45.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And that allows us 03:45.066 --> 03:48.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to at least have them in a controlled circled net 03:48.233 --> 03:50.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that then allows our divers to go in 03:50.066 --> 03:52.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and get them and bring them on board. 03:52.966 --> 03:55.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (playful music) 03:55.300 --> 03:57.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - You got her now, Kim? 03:57.066 --> 04:02.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (playful music) 04:02.433 --> 04:04.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Extra care needs to be taken 04:04.333 --> 04:06.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to avoid an accidental sting 04:06.733 --> 04:10.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% by one of the venom-coated barbs near the animal's tail. 04:10.766 --> 04:12.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Kim] It's a female. 04:12.600 --> 04:14.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] And each animal is checked 04:14.666 --> 04:18.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for a so-called PIT tag. 04:18.666 --> 04:20.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - And those PIT tags 04:20.100 --> 04:23.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% are similar to the microchips we put in your pets, 04:23.066 --> 04:24.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% like your dogs and your cats. 04:24.766 --> 04:26.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So if it doesn't have a tag, 04:26.033 --> 04:28.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% it means it has not been caught before. 04:28.633 --> 04:30.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So we then put a PIT tag in, 04:30.800 --> 04:33.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and it allows us to detect if we've had a recapture 04:33.633 --> 04:35.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% months or years down the line. 04:35.166 --> 04:37.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Then the next thing we do is we take a genetics clip. 04:37.366 --> 04:38.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Those are really important for us 04:38.966 --> 04:41.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to look at population structure. 04:41.366 --> 04:42.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Researcher 1] 8.5. 04:42.833 --> 04:44.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Researcher 2] 8.5, okay. 04:44.366 --> 04:48.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The team also weighs and measures each ray. 04:48.233 --> 04:51.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Researcher] 54.2. 04:51.366 --> 04:53.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] And collects a series of samples 04:53.133 --> 04:57.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to study its blood and microbiome. 04:57.166 --> 05:01.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Next, they take photographs of the animal. 05:01.433 --> 05:03.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Kim] Spotted eagle rays have unique spot patterns 05:03.133 --> 05:07.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and that allows us to do photo ID and create a catalog 05:07.933 --> 05:12.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and keep track of them over time. 05:12.366 --> 05:13.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Researcher] Little male. 05:13.766 --> 05:15.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] To study the eagle ray's 05:15.200 --> 05:17.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% movements and habitat use, 05:17.400 --> 05:20.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the researchers also implant an acoustic tag 05:20.700 --> 05:24.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in the animal's abdominal cavity. 05:24.100 --> 05:26.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - When you turn a shark or a ray upside down, 05:26.333 --> 05:28.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they calm down and they go into almost, 05:28.566 --> 05:30.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we like to say a trance-like state, 05:30.766 --> 05:34.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that's when we perform this acoustic tag surgery. 05:34.633 --> 05:38.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Most stitches heal within, you know, a series of days. 05:38.266 --> 05:42.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And acoustic tags are passive coded transmitters 05:42.266 --> 05:45.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that work within a system of receivers 05:45.466 --> 05:47.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that are out in the environment. 05:47.333 --> 05:49.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% These receivers can receive 05:49.000 --> 05:51.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that unique coded tag signal to them 05:51.866 --> 05:55.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and allow us to look at how the animals move. 05:55.500 --> 05:58.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We strategically place those receivers, 05:58.000 --> 06:00.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% for instance at creek mouths, throughout the bay, 06:00.800 --> 06:03.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and we have them in all of our passes 06:03.633 --> 06:06.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% between the estuary out to the Gulf of Mexico, 06:06.066 --> 06:07.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% 'cause we wanna see 06:07.366 --> 06:09.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% if animals are going in and outta the estuary. 06:09.800 --> 06:10.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And then we have a series 06:10.966 --> 06:13.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that are like curtains along the coast, 06:13.166 --> 06:14.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so if animals swim up and down the coast, 06:14.966 --> 06:17.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we can catch them in our curtain gate. 06:17.200 --> 06:18.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And then we have ones all the way 06:18.633 --> 06:21.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to about 50 miles offshore. 06:21.700 --> 06:23.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So if our rays swim outside of our array 06:23.966 --> 06:26.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% within like say the Sarasota area, 06:26.033 --> 06:30.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they go into other researchers' arrays. 06:30.033 --> 06:34.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (gentle music) 06:34.600 --> 06:37.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Kim and her team manage 80 receivers 06:37.766 --> 06:40.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that are part of larger networks of receivers 06:40.700 --> 06:44.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that cover the entire state of Florida and beyond. 06:44.900 --> 06:48.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Scientists studying the movements of all kinds of fish 06:48.566 --> 06:52.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% maintain receivers along different parts of the networks 06:52.033 --> 06:55.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and share recorded data with each other. 06:55.700 --> 06:57.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - So we've learned a lot about migration patterns 06:57.500 --> 06:58.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% of the eagle rays, 06:58.433 --> 07:00.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% because of the shared data. 07:00.300 --> 07:03.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (water splashing) 07:03.566 --> 07:05.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] To access the information, 07:05.433 --> 07:07.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% researchers need to pull up the receivers 07:07.566 --> 07:12.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% at regular intervals and download the data. 07:12.066 --> 07:13.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - It's like Christmas for us. 07:13.400 --> 07:15.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Like what ray have we seen that we've tagged 07:15.366 --> 07:16.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and when did we tag it? 07:16.566 --> 07:17.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Narrator] Kim and her team 07:17.900 --> 07:21.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% discovered that the rays are in the Sarasota area 07:21.166 --> 07:24.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% between March and October. 07:24.000 --> 07:26.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - The beauty of the acoustic tagging 07:26.066 --> 07:28.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is we have learned where those rays go 07:28.100 --> 07:29.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% during those winter months. 07:29.500 --> 07:31.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They go south, they go down to Charlotte Harbor, 07:31.766 --> 07:33.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they go down to the Florida Keys. 07:33.566 --> 07:36.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We even had one of our rays go as far as Cancun, 07:36.700 --> 07:38.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% like off the coast of Mexico. 07:38.800 --> 07:41.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We wanna understand what are the drivers of movement. 07:41.700 --> 07:44.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Are they going for social reasons? 07:44.000 --> 07:46.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Are they leaving because of a certain temperature? 07:46.166 --> 07:47.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Is it food driven? 07:47.866 --> 07:50.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We found that the migration patterns 07:50.666 --> 07:52.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% on the east coast versus west coast rays 07:52.366 --> 07:53.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% were very different. 07:53.933 --> 07:56.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% East coast rays, where there's less temperature variation, 07:56.500 --> 08:00.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% seem to stay in the Indian River Lagoon year-round. 08:00.033 --> 08:01.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Only when a cold front came, 08:01.333 --> 08:03.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% did they go offshore into the Atlantic. 08:03.433 --> 08:10.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% (playful music) (boat engine roaring) 08:10.000 --> 08:11.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Kim closely collaborates 08:11.600 --> 08:15.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and his team of researchers at FAU Harbor Branch 08:15.066 --> 08:19.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in Fort Pierce, on Florida's east coast. 08:19.333 --> 08:20.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - When we started this work off, 08:20.666 --> 08:24.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the Atlantic coast was pretty much, you know, 08:24.066 --> 08:25.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% an empty basket, right? 08:25.533 --> 08:28.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We had no information. 08:28.300 --> 08:30.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - One of the things that we're interested in, 08:30.066 --> 08:31.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as a driver of movement, 08:31.433 --> 08:35.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is what food and what prey resources are available. 08:35.200 --> 08:37.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Eagle rays feed on clams and snails 08:37.800 --> 08:39.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that live on the seafloor. 08:39.866 --> 08:44.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% To get at the meat, they crunch the shells like a nutcracker. 08:44.533 --> 08:46.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] You have teeth that are fused together 08:46.900 --> 08:48.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as one plate, 08:48.266 --> 08:49.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% a top and a bottom one. 08:49.600 --> 08:52.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Almost like a conveyor belt of teeth 08:52.200 --> 08:54.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that they're able to take these hard-shelled prey 08:54.866 --> 08:56.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and crush them. 08:56.466 --> 08:59.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And the coolest thing is that they spit out the shell parts 08:59.233 --> 09:02.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and only ingest the meaty parts. 09:02.233 --> 09:03.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The bottom tooth plate 09:03.733 --> 09:08.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% has a pointed spade tip at the end, just like a shovel. 09:08.100 --> 09:10.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Kim] They can like dig into the sand or dig into the mud, 09:10.766 --> 09:12.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% 'cause some of their prey, such as clams, 09:12.566 --> 09:13.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% actually bury themselves. 09:13.700 --> 09:15.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They might be down like six inches. 09:15.833 --> 09:17.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] It's difficult to analyze 09:17.333 --> 09:19.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the amount and type of the rays' prey 09:19.900 --> 09:22.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% by looking at their stomach contents, 09:22.333 --> 09:24.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% since the shells have been removed. 09:24.700 --> 09:27.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So the researchers devised a unique method 09:27.700 --> 09:29.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to study the animals' diet. 09:29.700 --> 09:32.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Kim] We did a short-term capture of the rays 09:32.666 --> 09:34.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and brought them in. 09:34.066 --> 09:35.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We have specialized research tanks here at Mote, 09:35.866 --> 09:38.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then we were able to feed them a variety of diet 09:38.500 --> 09:39.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% of their wild prey. 09:39.966 --> 09:41.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And the reason that we did that 09:41.566 --> 09:45.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is we wanted to understand the different acoustic properties 09:45.200 --> 09:46.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% of when they're eating 09:46.433 --> 09:47.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% these prey items. (clam crushing) 09:47.533 --> 09:49.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So when they're eating a clam, 09:49.766 --> 09:51.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% it sounds very different 09:51.166 --> 09:53.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% from when they're eating, for instance, a snail. 09:53.433 --> 09:55.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - And we've recorded 09:55.166 --> 09:57.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% hundreds and hundreds of feeding events there 09:57.633 --> 10:01.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% from many different individuals of eagle rays. 10:01.333 --> 10:03.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Narrator] Using AI, 10:03.000 --> 10:07.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the researchers trained a computer to 10:07.266 --> 10:09.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We've already found that we can tell differences 10:09.833 --> 10:13.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% between spotted eagle ray predation on a clam 10:13.166 --> 10:17.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% or a conch or a nerite. 10:17.200 --> 10:19.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - And our next step is to take that exciting research 10:19.533 --> 10:20.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% out to the wild. 10:20.800 --> 10:23.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 10:23.333 --> 10:26.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] To do so, the team traveled to Bermuda, 10:26.466 --> 10:28.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% where they work closely with their colleagues 10:28.866 --> 10:32.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. 10:32.233 --> 10:36.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 10:36.666 --> 10:39.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - It's one of the longest running aquariums in the world. 10:39.766 --> 10:42.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And then we also have our Natural History Museum. 10:42.500 --> 10:43.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - That's its main function, really, 10:43.766 --> 10:46.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to get people to understand what Bermuda is 10:46.000 --> 10:47.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in terms of its natural history. 10:47.633 --> 10:50.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But the other roles we have are really to support research. 10:50.333 --> 10:56.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% (boat engine starting) (gentle music) 10:56.533 --> 10:57.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% (boat engine roaring) (water splashing) 10:57.833 --> 11:00.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo 11:00.500 --> 11:02.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is located on Harrington Sound, 11:02.966 --> 11:05.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% which is frequented by the rays. 11:05.300 --> 11:07.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - All of our previous studies have shown 11:07.500 --> 11:08.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that they spend lots of time in there, 11:08.900 --> 11:12.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% often several months continuously. 11:12.466 --> 11:15.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We're trying to figure out what the feeding behavior 11:15.533 --> 11:18.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and the movement behavior of these rays is like. 11:18.733 --> 11:20.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% How they spend their day versus their night, 11:20.900 --> 11:23.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% where, when, and what they like to eat, 11:23.466 --> 11:25.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and how much they're affecting the animals 11:25.933 --> 11:28.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that live in the sound. 11:28.700 --> 11:29.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Narrator] The aquarium staff 11:29.966 --> 11:33.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% assist the team in capturing the rays. 11:33.133 --> 11:37.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Our job principally is to provide the boat support. 11:37.533 --> 11:40.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We have quite a few boats available with good platforms 11:40.800 --> 11:42.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that they can easily deploy nets from. 11:42.833 --> 11:45.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We'll try to spot them from the bow of the boat 11:45.166 --> 11:46.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as the water's really clear, 11:46.466 --> 11:48.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and we can usually see them in the depths 11:48.200 --> 11:49.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% where we were able to fish. 11:49.900 --> 11:51.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - But it's often a cat and mouse game. 11:51.800 --> 11:54.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It's never as straightforward as it seems. 11:54.266 --> 12:01.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 12:01.866 --> 12:03.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] To capture the rays, 12:03.366 --> 12:05.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% the team uses the same methods 12:05.266 --> 12:09.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as their colleagues in Sarasota. 12:09.300 --> 12:10.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - And then fill it with water 12:10.633 --> 12:11.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then fill it with water from the bucket. 12:11.733 --> 12:13.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% (Researcher) Where did the bucket go. 12:13.033 --> 12:14.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Once an animal is on the boat, 12:14.633 --> 12:17.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the researchers begin their work-up. 12:17.366 --> 12:18.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Cecilia] So we collect information 12:18.833 --> 12:20.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% on the width and length of the animal, 12:20.566 --> 12:23.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% as well as the sex of the animal, 12:23.666 --> 12:25.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and whether it's mature or not. 12:25.900 --> 12:28.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Then we'll also take genetic fin clips 12:28.233 --> 12:29.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so that we can find out, you know, 12:29.966 --> 12:32.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% how this population compares to the Florida population 12:32.800 --> 12:35.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and other populations of eagle rays. 12:35.900 --> 12:38.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] We will inject the animal with a PIT tag. 12:38.933 --> 12:41.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] And if a ray is the right size, 12:41.100 --> 12:43.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the researchers will also equip it 12:43.400 --> 12:46.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with a highly specialized, temporary tag. 12:46.766 --> 12:48.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We wanna tag a big enough animal 12:48.866 --> 12:52.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that it won't be a stressor or any kind of hindrance 12:52.166 --> 12:53.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to their swimming or feeding, 12:53.833 --> 12:57.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% preferably over a meter in width. 12:57.233 --> 12:59.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - This is the first venture 12:59.766 --> 13:02.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% into this kind of multi-sensor tagging process 13:02.833 --> 13:04.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for this particular species. 13:04.766 --> 13:06.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The tag is placed on the animal 13:06.633 --> 13:09.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% with suction cups. 13:09.300 --> 13:12.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] This species is really conducive 13:12.133 --> 13:13.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for suction cup attachments, 13:13.600 --> 13:16.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% because its skin is so smooth, actually. 13:16.566 --> 13:19.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% In fact, its skin is almost like the skin of a dolphin. 13:19.933 --> 13:24.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So we added a little retainer strap to hold the tag down 13:24.033 --> 13:25.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to the animal's head. 13:25.300 --> 13:27.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And the retainer strap basically 13:27.533 --> 13:30.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is two sets of very soft hooks 13:30.200 --> 13:35.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that attach to the spiracular cartilage of the animal. 13:35.066 --> 13:37.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And those straps go over 13:37.966 --> 13:42.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and are held together by a galvanic timed release. 13:42.033 --> 13:44.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - That galvanic timed release slowly disintegrates 13:44.500 --> 13:47.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% as a result of the saltwater reacting with it. 13:47.000 --> 13:50.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And it should fall apart about 24 hours later, 13:50.033 --> 13:51.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% causing those hooks to fall out. 13:51.900 --> 13:53.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And then the suction cups 13:53.500 --> 13:58.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% will eventually naturally pop off on their own. 13:58.466 --> 14:00.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The tag records a variety of data 14:00.700 --> 14:03.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% while attached to the animal. 14:03.066 --> 14:07.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] So we've got motion sensors on it. 14:07.166 --> 14:09.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - They will allow us to record 14:09.200 --> 14:10.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% how the animal was moving and where, 14:10.933 --> 14:13.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% whether it's deep, very shallow, 14:13.400 --> 14:16.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% how warm the water is and what it's doing. 14:16.700 --> 14:17.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - And so those things 14:17.833 --> 14:19.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% are all getting recorded simultaneously, 14:19.500 --> 14:21.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% along with the time. 14:21.300 --> 14:25.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% There's a light sensor, and we have a hydrophone. 14:25.033 --> 14:28.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So it's listening to all the sounds being generated, 14:28.566 --> 14:31.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% either by the animal or its surroundings, 14:31.666 --> 14:34.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then a video camera that's looking forward. 14:34.100 --> 14:35.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So giving you a very unique perspective 14:35.866 --> 14:38.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% of what the animal's doing. 14:38.500 --> 14:40.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The tag also gets picked up 14:40.166 --> 14:42.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% by 11 stationary receivers 14:42.700 --> 14:45.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% located at different depths and in different habitats 14:45.833 --> 14:49.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% throughout the sound and in the inlet. 14:49.400 --> 14:52.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Each time a ray swims by one of these receivers, 14:52.666 --> 14:55.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the time and location is recorded. 14:55.400 --> 14:57.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% This data can then be combined 14:57.566 --> 15:00.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with the information collected by the tag. 15:00.666 --> 15:04.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] That ability to link the behavior and habitat 15:04.500 --> 15:06.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to where the animal actually is, 15:06.000 --> 15:08.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is absolutely crucial for our project. 15:08.366 --> 15:11.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (playful music) 15:11.366 --> 15:13.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Once the tag comes off the ray, 15:13.666 --> 15:16.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% it floats up to the surface. 15:16.400 --> 15:17.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Cecilia] And it will float in an orientation 15:17.900 --> 15:21.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that puts a little antenna of our satellite transmitter 15:21.633 --> 15:22.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% out of the water, 15:22.600 --> 15:23.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as well as a wet-dry sensor. 15:23.966 --> 15:26.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So as soon as that sensor's dry, 15:26.133 --> 15:29.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the transmitter will start telling satellites overhead 15:29.066 --> 15:31.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% where it is. 15:31.300 --> 15:34.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So we then hone in on wherever the tag is, 15:34.100 --> 15:36.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% using a ground interception antenna 15:36.533 --> 15:38.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that will hear those transmissions 15:38.066 --> 15:39.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that are meant for the satellites, 15:39.500 --> 15:41.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and guide us to where they're coming from 15:41.733 --> 15:44.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% by direction and signal strength. 15:44.266 --> 15:46.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So we'll get near where the tag was 15:46.666 --> 15:48.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% from the satellite transmission data, 15:48.866 --> 15:51.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then we will just sort of be guided 15:51.533 --> 15:54.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% by our instruments on the ground to a closer location. 15:54.733 --> 15:56.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And then we just have to look 15:56.266 --> 16:00.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and see our bright pink little package floating there. 16:00.833 --> 16:02.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Locating the floating tag 16:02.966 --> 16:06.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is like finding a needle in a haystack. 16:06.033 --> 16:07.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Cecilia] It's incredibly stressful 16:07.633 --> 16:08.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to look for those tags, 16:08.633 --> 16:09.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% they're very expensive, 16:09.933 --> 16:12.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% but more importantly, the data is invaluable. 16:12.166 --> 16:13.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Matt] What's that. 16:13.433 --> 16:15.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Is that pink? - Where? 16:15.000 --> 16:16.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - It's pink. 16:16.400 --> 16:17.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It's sort of exciting at the same time, to be honest, 16:17.833 --> 16:23.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% because it's a little like a giant Easter egg hunt. 16:23.400 --> 16:26.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It's a very expensive Easter egg hunt at the same time, 16:26.066 --> 16:29.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% but, you know, you're so excited to get data back 16:29.600 --> 16:33.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that sometimes, you know, the stresses of the situation, 16:33.033 --> 16:36.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% you know, is overcome by all of that energy. 16:36.566 --> 16:40.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - Way to go Ce. 16:40.300 --> 16:46.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Between October of 2022 and the end of 2023, 16:46.400 --> 16:48.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the team successfully deployed 9 tags 16:48.866 --> 16:52.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% which have led to exciting discoveries. 16:52.533 --> 16:55.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Whenever I open the videos from these tags, 16:55.133 --> 16:56.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% I have this really great rush 16:56.900 --> 16:58.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% knowing that I'm seeing something 16:58.100 --> 17:00.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that no one has ever seen before. 17:00.266 --> 17:03.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We finally know where this animal was when it ate that. 17:03.333 --> 17:04.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% How deep was it? 17:04.366 --> 17:05.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% What was the bottom like? 17:05.633 --> 17:06.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% What did it sound like? 17:06.900 --> 17:09.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Were there other rays around? 17:09.500 --> 17:11.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We've seen rays trailing other rays, 17:11.500 --> 17:13.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% as well as being part of larger groups of rays, 17:13.866 --> 17:15.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% maybe three at a time or four. 17:15.700 --> 17:17.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - The video camera has shown interactions 17:17.933 --> 17:21.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with certain habitats that we weren't really expecting. 17:21.266 --> 17:25.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Now we can see behaviors like looking for food, 17:25.066 --> 17:26.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% but not necessarily finding food. 17:26.733 --> 17:28.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Have they changed their swimming behavior 17:28.333 --> 17:30.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% when they appear to be looking for food? 17:30.633 --> 17:32.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - It's like a dream come true, 17:32.000 --> 17:35.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% because as scientists who are interested 17:35.366 --> 17:36.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in studying these animals, 17:36.766 --> 17:40.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% like, you know, short of being able to be underwater 17:40.333 --> 17:42.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and attach yourselves to them, like this is it, right? 17:42.666 --> 17:44.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% This is the way to break through 17:44.600 --> 17:46.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and discover these behaviors 17:46.133 --> 17:50.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that are basically concealed to us. 17:50.166 --> 17:51.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Using sound recordings 17:51.533 --> 17:54.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to understand the rays' diet and feeding patterns 17:54.833 --> 17:58.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% can also shed light on how eagle rays interact 17:58.266 --> 18:01.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with shellfish aquaculture operations. 18:01.766 --> 18:04.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - That kind of information could, you know, 18:04.466 --> 18:07.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% potentially lead to less interactions with the industry. 18:07.566 --> 18:11.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% (lively music) (water sloshing) 18:11.166 --> 18:12.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Narrator] To test this, 18:12.700 --> 18:16.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the team at Mote is working closely with Sarasota Bay Watch. 18:16.966 --> 18:21.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Sarasota Bay Watch is an organization of citizens 18:21.666 --> 18:26.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% who are actively working for the environment. 18:26.233 --> 18:29.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We have this project with clam restoration, 18:29.100 --> 18:31.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% the southern hard clam. 18:31.266 --> 18:32.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Narrator] Native to the area, 18:32.966 --> 18:35.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% these clams were once abundant, 18:35.500 --> 18:39.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% but their numbers declined due to overfishing. 18:39.266 --> 18:40.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Ernesto] We wanna put them back again 18:40.766 --> 18:42.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so the clams will produce babies, 18:42.866 --> 18:45.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and they repopulate those sites. 18:45.566 --> 18:47.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The filter-feeding clams 18:47.366 --> 18:50.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% serve an important ecological role 18:50.066 --> 18:52.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% by improving water quality. 18:52.600 --> 18:56.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Ernesto] These clams, their filter power is very strong. 18:56.000 --> 18:59.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% 20 gallons per clam a day. 18:59.133 --> 19:00.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Narrator] Sarasota Bay Watch 19:00.466 --> 19:02.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% received permits from the state 19:02.500 --> 19:06.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to put clams in places where they occurred historically. 19:06.800 --> 19:09.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We determine if the location is good by doing testings. 19:09.633 --> 19:12.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And once we determine the clams will survive, 19:12.666 --> 19:15.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and they will grow, then we put large quantities. 19:15.500 --> 19:17.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We're talking 60,000 clams. 19:17.733 --> 19:28.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 19:28.800 --> 19:32.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We collected preliminary data at those sites 19:32.133 --> 19:33.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% before they released clams. 19:33.833 --> 19:36.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So we put receivers out, we put hydrophones out, 19:36.166 --> 19:39.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we were able to get a baseline prior to the restoration, 19:39.766 --> 19:41.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then we were able to get some data 19:41.533 --> 19:44.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% after the clams were put in the water. 19:44.666 --> 19:45.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% What we noticed 19:45.966 --> 19:49.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is when the clam restorations were first done, 19:49.266 --> 19:51.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% we did see sort of an uptick 19:51.500 --> 19:54.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in a few of our acoustic tagged rays 19:54.033 --> 19:56.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% visiting those sites. 19:56.133 --> 19:58.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% This is probably, you know, 19:58.000 --> 19:59.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% if the clams hadn't buried themselves yet, 19:59.966 --> 20:03.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% it's almost like a buffet of clams in the area. 20:03.266 --> 20:06.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But one of the things that's really cool that we're learning 20:06.266 --> 20:08.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is by looking at the diet of the eagle rays. 20:08.566 --> 20:10.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They don't really eat a lot of the hard clams. 20:10.266 --> 20:11.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% They eat a lot of other stuff. 20:11.966 --> 20:13.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And one of the things that rays eat 20:13.600 --> 20:17.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% are some of the whelks, banded tulips, some of the conchs. 20:17.266 --> 20:20.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So rays can actually be helping manage 20:20.033 --> 20:23.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% some of these shellfish beds and industries 20:23.200 --> 20:25.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% by like eating some of the other predators of the clams. 20:25.966 --> 20:27.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (water bubbling) 20:27.300 --> 20:30.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 20:30.500 --> 20:33.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Researchers are also hoping to identify 20:33.033 --> 20:36.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% eagle ray nurseries in Sarasota 20:36.133 --> 20:39.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and in the Indian River Lagoon. 20:39.266 --> 20:42.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Really there's been no nursery work on the species, 20:42.900 --> 20:44.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% mainly because there's very few places, I think, 20:44.700 --> 20:48.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% where you can reliably study them. 20:48.866 --> 20:51.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We don't know where the rays are born. 20:51.766 --> 20:57.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And so a way to help recover populations of a species 20:57.633 --> 20:59.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that is globally declining, 20:59.833 --> 21:01.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is to discover those nursery habitats, 21:01.800 --> 21:06.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so we can create protected boundaries for this area. 21:06.200 --> 21:08.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So I'm trying to determine 21:08.533 --> 21:11.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% where these protected areas should be 21:11.266 --> 21:15.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in Florida coastal waters. 21:15.566 --> 21:16.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% For this study, 21:16.866 --> 21:20.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% rays between 40 to 80 centimeters disc width, 21:20.266 --> 21:22.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% we are considering a pup. 21:22.400 --> 21:26.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 21:26.366 --> 21:29.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% In the Indian River Lagoon, we use gillnets, 21:29.033 --> 21:34.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 21:34.300 --> 21:36.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then we wait like 30 minutes, 21:36.666 --> 21:41.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and that's how we capture little ones here. 21:41.433 --> 21:46.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - It's a little different than the way Mote captures them. 21:46.900 --> 21:48.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They tend to see eagle rays in waters 21:48.733 --> 21:51.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that are a bit clearer. 21:51.566 --> 21:52.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Once the ray is captured, 21:52.866 --> 21:54.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we take a lot of the similar measurements 21:54.366 --> 21:55.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% we take for the adults, 21:55.566 --> 21:57.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then we'll proceed with the surgery 21:57.766 --> 22:00.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to implant them with acoustic transmitters. 22:00.633 --> 22:04.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - We internally tag the rays with two tags. 22:04.766 --> 22:06.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] One tag communicates 22:06.333 --> 22:09.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with the stationary receivers set up throughout the lagoon 22:09.733 --> 22:14.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that record the time and date each time a pup swims by 22:14.300 --> 22:16.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% over the course of two years. 22:16.833 --> 22:20.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Really to understand how long that habitat serves 22:20.333 --> 22:22.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% as a nursery for. 22:22.500 --> 22:24.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The second tag allows Ari 22:24.533 --> 22:27.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to actively track a pup from a boat. 22:27.633 --> 22:28.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Matt] The active tracking vessel 22:28.900 --> 22:31.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% has a special mount on it, with a pole, 22:31.500 --> 22:32.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for the hydrophone system. 22:32.733 --> 22:34.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The hydrophone is connected to a deck box, 22:34.800 --> 22:36.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% which serves as the receiver. 22:36.833 --> 22:40.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And, basically the receiver gives you information, 22:40.066 --> 22:41.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in real time, 22:41.400 --> 22:43.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in terms of the strength of the signal, 22:43.333 --> 22:46.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% which is a strong indication of how far away the ray is, 22:46.233 --> 22:47.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% as well as the date and the time. 22:47.933 --> 22:54.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And we'll manipulate the direction of the hydrophone 22:54.266 --> 22:56.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to give us the strongest bearing on where the animal is. 22:56.100 --> 22:58.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And we'll continuously move in that direction 22:58.266 --> 23:01.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to stay as close as possible to the ray. 23:01.966 --> 23:03.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Ari and her colleagues 23:03.366 --> 23:06.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% try to follow the pup for 24 hours. 23:06.866 --> 23:09.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - It's because I'm interested in their behavior, 23:09.500 --> 23:12.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% how that changes in relationship to time, 23:12.766 --> 23:17.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% like their activities during the day and also at night. 23:17.566 --> 23:19.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So we're trying to focus 23:19.266 --> 23:21.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and figure out what the hotspots are, 23:21.666 --> 23:25.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% pretty much where they spend the majority of their time. 23:25.233 --> 23:27.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] And the hard work is paying off. 23:27.633 --> 23:31.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Ari is already making some interesting discoveries. 23:31.766 --> 23:35.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - Their behavior is somewhat similar in both areas, 23:35.466 --> 23:38.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% despite being so different 23:38.333 --> 23:42.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in terms of water clarity and the tides. 23:42.966 --> 23:45.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] The pups are moving more than expected 23:45.666 --> 23:49.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and are spending time in surprising places. 23:49.000 --> 23:50.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Ariadna] 55.8. 23:50.600 --> 23:55.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Some of the preliminary data is showing that little rays, 23:55.266 --> 23:58.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they love deeper waters, like the channels, 23:58.033 --> 24:00.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and also they love bridges, 24:00.133 --> 24:02.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in Sarasota Bay and also here. 24:02.466 --> 24:07.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We were not expecting to see little ones in the channels, 24:07.266 --> 24:12.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% because those are areas with high traffic of predators. 24:12.266 --> 24:14.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Many species of fish seek refuge 24:14.700 --> 24:17.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% around shallow mangrove roots when they are little, 24:17.466 --> 24:19.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% because these areas are difficult 24:19.633 --> 24:22.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for large predators to access. 24:22.933 --> 24:24.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Ari is hoping that her research 24:24.600 --> 24:27.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% will help explain why eagle ray pups 24:27.133 --> 24:32.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% also frequent adult habitats like the deep channels. 24:32.133 --> 24:35.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Ariadna] I think it helps to be in turbid, darker waters 24:35.800 --> 24:39.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% where predators cannot see you very well. 24:39.400 --> 24:46.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 24:46.133 --> 24:50.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (water burbling) 24:50.766 --> 24:58.200 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (gentle dramatic music) 24:58.200 --> 25:00.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Narrator] Eagle rays have long captivated people 25:00.766 --> 25:06.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with their stunning appearance and elegant movements. 25:06.333 --> 25:08.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - What I think is really fascinating 25:08.166 --> 25:09.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% about studying eagle rays 25:09.766 --> 25:11.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is that we have learned a lot, 25:11.400 --> 25:14.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% but we still have a lot to learn. 25:14.333 --> 25:15.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - There seems to be like nothing about them 25:15.800 --> 25:16.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that isn't interesting, 25:16.933 --> 25:18.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% which I think keeps me going. 25:18.600 --> 25:20.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We have an amazing opportunity here in Florida, 25:20.833 --> 25:23.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% because they are in such great shape here 25:23.733 --> 25:25.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that we can learn a lot 25:25.433 --> 25:29.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and apply to other areas in Central and South America 25:29.100 --> 25:30.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% where they're not doing as well, 25:30.700 --> 25:33.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so that those people have the information they need 25:33.466 --> 25:36.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to better manage that species. 25:36.266 --> 25:37.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% - [Kim] And we can contribute 25:37.433 --> 25:39.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% towards finding out more information 25:39.566 --> 25:41.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and helping with their conservation. 25:41.266 --> 25:48.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (gentle dramatic music) 25:48.433 --> 26:16.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (lively music) 26:16.100 --> 26:18.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% - [Announcer] Major funding for this program 26:18.066 --> 26:21.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% was provided by The Batchelor Foundation, 26:21.200 --> 26:24.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% encouraging people to preserve and protect 26:24.066 --> 26:27.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources. 26:27.266 --> 26:31.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Additional funding was provided by Trish and Dan Bell 26:31.333 --> 26:33.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and by the Parrot Family Endowment 26:33.966 --> 26:37.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for Environmental Education. 26:37.466 --> 26:40.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% (upbeat music)