Florida Manta Project

In 2016, Jessica Pate started the Florida Manta Project to study the biology and ecology of manta rays in South Florida. This is the first dedicated study of manta rays in the continental U.S. and has even discovered a potential rare nursery habitat! Previously, Jessica has studied sea turtles in Florida, Central America, and West Africa, taught marine biology on traditionally-rigged schooners, and has crossed the Atlantic Ocean by sail. She has an undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and a graduate degree from Florida Atlantic University.