Mote Marine Laboratory manatee research summary 1985-2001.

Abstract

This report summarizes briefly Mote Marine Laboratory's research activities with manatees from 1985 to 2001. Mote Marine Laboratory has been involved in manatee research and conservation activities since 1985, when it initiated a program of aerial surveys to monitor the distribution and abundance of manatees in local waters. This survey program continues as one of the longest-running manatee monitoring programs in the state. Mote's involvement in manatee research and management has expanded into a variety of areas that take advantage of the scientific expertise at the Laboratory. More recent research has included studies of manatee physiology relative to red tide and environmental changes, improvement of manatee estimation techniques, studies of distribution and habitat use, assessment of alternative warm water refugia, and behavioral responses of manatees to boat approaches, as well as evaluation of boater use of waterways and manatee speed zones.