00:03Our planet's fragile coral reefs are in trouble, and while experts hope to save these underwater ecosystems,
00:09observing them can be difficult with traditional tools.
00:12Those types of submersibles can damage reefs, negatively impacting the very thing they're trying to save.
00:17That's why this team of researchers has developed a biometric manta ray.
00:21It's essentially a remote controllable fish, capable of observing and providing data to humans on the surface.
00:27The team say they decided to base their robot on a manta ray because of its ability to move in
00:31pretty much any direction,
00:33with the researchers outlining that it can swim forwards and backwards, execute tight turns, dive, and even perform backflips.
00:39It's important for conservationists to have submersibles that can blend in, letting them observe habitats in their natural state.
00:45Coral reefs are of particular import to marine biologists as well, as despite only covering less than 1% of
00:51the ocean's floor,
00:52coral reefs house as much as 25% of all oceanic species.
