Mālama Manō Project
A shark conservation research project funded by National Geographic Society
Research
Education
Technology
Exploring the Confluence of Ancestral Intelligence with AI for Shark Conservation
The Mālama Manō Project strives to begin integrating cutting-edge technologies with ancestral Hawaiian knowledge to increase understanding of marine life.
Our approach includes cross-analyzing DNA from water samples with underwater video footage, while also using an artificial intelligence (AI) video and image recognition tool to analyze image data. In all steps of the research process, we are seeking the guidance of cultural liaisons.
Join the Exploration
On-demand
The expedition team welcomes all to join the journey by following the Expedition StoryMap which will be updated in real-time from the launch of Expedition 1 on September 15th, 2022 to the end of Expedition 2 on October 8th, 2022.
Live Events
Several scheduled events will feature different aspects of the expedition, described below. For more information, connect on the Nautilus Live website
Education
Teachers can download an expedition guide with activities and schedule a private Ship to Shore connection for their classroom on the Education page.
Explorer Classroom
Wednesday, October 5th, 2022
8:00 am HST (1:00 PM CST)
Join a short presentation by the research team followed by an interactive Q&A Learn More
Hawaii’s Sharks 101 & Intro to AI
Tuesday September 20th,
8:00 am HST (1:00 PM CST)
Team members both on the ship and at shore demonstrate how we are learning about sharks using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze video from our BRUV devices to learn about sharks. You’ll also learn how to help us out from shore as a citizen scientist. Learn More
Nautilus Live: Inspired by Nature
Tuesday, September 27th
8:00 am HST (1:00 PM CST)
Nature is the true master of design. In this panel discussion, we speak with scientists, engineers and Hawaiian experts on the lessons we are learning and have yet to learn from nature’s designs to inspire the engineering of the future. Learn More
Expeditions of the Future
Tuesday, October 6th, 2022
8:00 AM HST (1:00 PM CST)
Scientific expeditions of today and reimagining those to come. Follow along in a panel discussion while explorers deconstruct expeditions of the past and reconstruct expeditions of the future Learn More
Topics featured on Nautilus Live are flexible and in collaboration with other projects. We will also include features of the technologies on board and much more!
Expedition Team
Ariana Agustines
Principal Investigator
Jennie Berglund
Storytelling
Sara Khalid
Artificial Intelligence
Daniel Kinzer
Education
Kelly Koller
Education
Erin Spencer
BRUV Deployment
Keolu Fox
Data Sovereignty
Max Butrill
Project Support
Ben Cammarata
Project Support
Ty Thompson
Project Support
Grace Young
Data Sovereignty
Seeking Integrative Research
As we deploy underwater video cameras and take eDNA samples along our route, we will be seeking connections with Hawaiian scientists. Along the journey, we not only seek to assess the status and current relationship of sharks and their habitat, we also seek to explore, deepen and share our own relationship to sharks. After the expedition, our data will be integrated into an Indigenous data collective led by National Geographic Explorers Keolu Fox and Grace Young.