There’s been a weird mystery in South Tampa, where something downright bizarre has been keeping a neighborhood on its toes fora while.
Picture this: a quiet, sunny neighborhood in Tampa suddenly shaken by mysterious bass noises. That’s right, folks – deep, pulsating sounds vibrating through the air and into the homes of puzzled residents. This isn’t your average neighborhood noise complaint; we’re talking about an enigma that has sparked theories ranging from wild boat parties to, get this, alien communications. But hold on, because the truth might just be stranger than fiction.
Enter Sara Healy, self-proclaimed “fixer and finder.” Sara’s been living in Tampa for a decade, and when she first heard these strange sounds on January 13th, she knew she had to do something about it. Imagine trying to sleep while your whole house is thumping to the rhythm of an unseen bass guitar. Kids were waking up, and earplugs just wouldn’t cut it. Sara described it like being near a rager a couple of streets away, except there was no party in sight.
Sara got a hold of Dr. James Locascio from the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. Dr. Locascio had a hunch that these sounds might be coming from under the sea. That’s right, the culprits behind this mystery could be none other than black drum fish, getting their groove on in the bay’s mating season. To get to the bottom of this, Sara launched a GoFundMe, raising over $2,650 to install underwater microphones and listen in on the ocean’s secrets.
This isn’t the first time Dr. Locascio has played detective with underwater acoustics. Decades ago, he solved similar mysteries in Cape Coral and Punta Gorda, linking the odd noises to these aquatic lovebirds. It turns out, black drum fish can produce low-frequency sounds that travel far and wide, serenading potential mates across great distances.
In Tampa, the plan is to install five underwater microphones to record the ocean’s soundscape for over two months. With the help of citizen scientists keeping detailed journals, the team hopes to crack the case by mid-summer. It’s a real-life science adventure, blending community action with marine biology to uncover the natural wonders lurking in Tampa’s waters.
@donevperfect The first 3 hydrophones are in the water! We expect to place at least 3 more in the coming week. Thanks to everyone who has chipped in or shared our fundraiser to help make this happen! ##tampa##blackdrum##mysterynoise##investigation ♬ Grand Orchestra / Loop to expect victory – Yuapro!!