Research and monitoring allow us to understand the ecosystem through the scientific process and observe it over time to detect changes and trends. Research and monitoring projects in Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary take place in collaboration with our co-managers and partners. Projects listed below are some of our current, high-priority projects.

A buoy with metal panels and a yellow base floats in the water.

Water Quality Buoy

This water quality buoy in the sanctuary reports real-time measurements of physical and chemical water parameters.

Several fish caught in a net pulled up onto a boat

Acoustic Telemetry

Learn how sanctuary staff work with partners to collect acoustic telemetry data to track fish species.

A person holds strands of underwater grasses in a red kayak with a yellow paddle

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring

Sanctuary staff monitor the submerged aquatic vegetation to better understand the sanctuary's overall ecosystem.