A student design team in the College of Engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia has developed an innovative device to help control invasive lionfish populations.
Working under the mentorship of Juan De la Fuente, an assistant teaching professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics, mechanical engineering students Tommy Vo, Marissa Kealey and Vince Cariello developed the Lionfish Interception and Ocean Navigation Submersible for Harvesting and Aquatic Recovery Kit (LIONSHARK), an underwater attachment designed to harpoon and capture up to 20 adult lionfish from a safe distance. Mounted on a remote operated vehicle, the system is capable of diving deeper than traditional scuba divers and eliminates the risk of contact with the venomous fish.
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‘We were inspired by the idea of underwater robotics combined with mechanical devices,’ said Vo. ‘We love building and doing hands-on work that is application-specific and useful, rather than researching new technology that may not be useful.’
Lionfish, originally native to the Indo-Pacific, have been wreaking havoc on coral reef ecosystems in the Atlantic and Caribbean since the 1980s, with no natural predators and an appetite that threatens native species. The LIONSHARK’s design offers a practical approach to mitigation. It features dual laser-aimed harpoon launchers, a live-feed camera, a fibreglass capture shell and waterproof electronics that function below 30 metres.
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‘Our solution is safer than conventional methods of spearfishing because it avoids the inherent risks of Scuba diving and reduces exposure to the [fish’s] venomous barbs,’ Kealey said.
The students divided responsibilities based on their strengths. Each brought experience in computer-aided design, machining, electronics and programming, much of it gained through co-ops and Drexel coursework.
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‘The most important thing I learned from senior design is to develop prototypes early and design them to work with things that you know will work,’ Vo said.
Kealey emphasised the importance of teamwork and communication. ‘The most important thing I learned is the importance of communication within the team, as well as understanding and incorporating the guidance from our advisors.’
‘The most important thing I learned is following through the overall engineering process – not just specific steps,’ added Cariello.
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While senior design shares similarities with other project-based courses, the students appreciated its extended timeline and freedom to explore more ambitious ideas. ‘Because we have three terms to continuously develop our project, we can find like-minded individuals with similar passions and bring an idea to life,’ the team said.
Looking ahead, the group hopes to evolve the LIONSHARK into a fully autonomous ROV with its own propulsion system, buoyancy control and remote navigation, ultimately enabling real-world deployment in reef environments.