Using GPS-Enabled Drifters in the Lake Worth Lagoon!

By Abba Brudney – Spring 2026 Intern

Is it already summer? Time really does fly when it’s filled with so many adventures and even better people. Being one of the Spring 2026 interns at ANGARI has been such an amazing opportunity; I feel so lucky to have spent the last few months surrounded by such a supportive and passionate team. Throughout my internship, I got to experience many different sides of marine science, from conducting my own research project in the Lake Worth Lagoon as part of Lagoon Drift, to helping with Coastal Ocean Explorers: Sharks expeditions, outreach events and community science initiatives. Every week looked a little different, which made this experience all the more exciting and rewarding.

My main internship project focused on designing methods to deploy GPS-enabled drifters in the Lake Worth Lagoon (LWL). This project builds upon ANGARI’s Lagoon Drift study, which investigates how marine debris and pollutants are moving through the LWL and local waterways. Using GPS-enabled drifters, my goal was to help supplement existing drift card data and better understand what happens between their release and recovery points.

One of my favorite parts of this project was how hands-on it was from start to finish. From designing pool experiments and building an overhead camera system (with 20 ft PVC pipes!), to heading out into the LWL to track drifters in real time, there was always something to look forward to. Although there were many logistics, troubleshooting and more trips to Home Depot than I can count, all of these ups and downs made the experience even more memorable. What I loved most was getting to contribute to an initiative that already plays such a meaningful role in understanding and protecting our local waterways. It really felt like I was contributing to research that could help support future Lagoon Drift studies and improve our understanding of marine debris transport in the LWL. A big shoutout to Captain Kevin as well, my fieldwork accomplice for many long days out on the water. If you didn’t get the chance to see us out there, just know the bright orange Whaly definitely made us local legends in the LWL.

I wrapped up my internship with a full scientific report and presentation, both of which I felt really proud to share with the team that supported me throughout the whole process. One of the most rewarding moments of this project was our first deployment alongside a Lagoon Drift card release on May 1, 2026. After months of preparation, it was so exciting to finally see the data come together and provide new insight into marine debris transport patterns within the LWL.

Beyond my project, I also had the chance to participate in Coastal Ocean Explorers: Sharks expeditions alongside Florida International University scientists. Working with students who were often experiencing their first time on a research vessel, or perhaps their first time seeing sharks up close, was such a memorable experience. I loved getting to introduce students to hands-on marine science research and seeing how excited and curious they became throughout the day. Outreach events also played a very meaningful role in my internship experience. I had the opportunity to share my project and talk about ANGARI’s programs at events like ManateeFest, TurtleFest, Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back Zone and Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens’ Earth Day. These events allowed me to connect with the community, meet other people working in conservation and education and learn more about topics that I’m passionate about.

As my internship comes to an end, I’m leaving with so much gratitude for this experience and for everyone who made it so memorable. The encouragement and support I received throughout my time at ANGARI helped me grow both personally and in my skill set, alongside experiences that will stay with me forever. Thank you to the entire ANGARI team for such an unforgettable semester! I truly couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience.