Manatees Protection Plans in Northeast Florida and a Note About Dolphins Too
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Manatees Protection Plans in Northeast Florida and a note about Dolphins too A. Quinton White, Jr. , Ph.D. Executive Director Gerry Pinto, Ph.D. Associate Research Scientist Picture by NatGeoKids Duval County Manatee Research Project Funded: City Of Jacksonville Developed: Jacksonville Waterways Commission Research: Jacksonville University 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 2 Classification of Sirenians Order: Sirenia (manatees & dugongs) Family: Trichechidae (manatees) Genus species/subspecies: Trichechus manatus - West Indian Trichechus manatus latirostris - Florida Trichechus manatus manatus - Antillean Trichechus inunguis – Amazonian Trichechus senegalensis – West African 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 3 Classification of Sirenians Order: Sirenia (manatees & dugongs) © GBRA_gov.au Family: Dugongidae (dugongs & sea cow) Genus species: Dugong dugon – (dugong) Hydrodamalis gigas (extinct Steller’s sea cow) 1741-1768 Artic Waters of the Bering Strait (30ft and 4400 Lbs) ©SMC.org 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 4 Federal and State laws protect manatees. US Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. US Endangered Species Act of 1973 Federal law violation: $100, 000 and/or 1 Yr. Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act in 1978, allowing the state to establish and enforce boating restrictions in important manatee habitats by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC). State law violation: $500 and/or up to 60 d. 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 5 State approved MPP’s Brevard 2003 Broward 2007 Citrus 1991 Collier 1995 Miami-Dade 1995 Duval 1999 Lee 2004 Indian River 2000 Martin MPP 2002 Martin BFSP 2002 Palm Beach 2007 Sarasota 2004 St. Lucie 2002 Volusia 2005 Clay 2006 Research Project Components Aerial surveys Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Water quality monitoring Inventory of boat facilities Vessel traffic studies Power plant surveys Manatee protection Manatee education and awareness 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 7 Synoptic counts floridamarine.com NOTE: No survey in 2008 ? Flight paths North Florida Flight Training Cessna 172 Skyhawk 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 17 man_icw_0306 3man_dock_0306 Man_T_sjr_0306 Man_grp_0306 G Manatee traveling inside docks. 2Man?@pilings I Manatee traveling outside docks. J Manatee traveling outside docks 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 26 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 27 Cavorting Manatees Walter Coker_FOLIO 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 29 Walter Coker_FOLIO 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 30 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 31 Summer Adults 520 CalvesAdults 247 40 2007 TotalCalves 56020 Total 267 Adults 247 Calves 20 Total 267 Fall Adults 63 Calves 4 Total 67 2005 Adults 63 Calves 4 Total 67 Adults 14 Calves 6 Total 20 Spring Adults 376 Calves 19 2006 Total 395 LSJR W-Temp 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 36 ICW W-Temp 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 37 Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Freshwater Tape grass - Vallisenaria americana Hyacinth - Eichornia sp. Algae - Hydrilla sp. Marine Turtle grass – Thalassia sp. Manatee grass – Syringodium sp. Shoal grass – Haladule sp. 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 38 Hyacinth @ 6 mile creek Vallisenaria americana 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 40 Water Quality Monitoring Weekly Jacksonville University boat dock Water temperature Salinity 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 41 SCT Meter St. Johns River Report http://www.sjrreport.com/ 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 43 SJRWMD GT026 NAS JAX GT030 NAS JAX s 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 44 Marina Surveys Q Inventory of Boat Facilities Ortega River New Marina Vessel Traffic Studies UNF, JU, ATM R Observer watching for traffic. Warm Water Sources JEA Southside and Kennedy Power Plants JEA Waste Water Treatment Outfalls Other areas (Ortega Basin) Monitored daily between Nov - Feb Blue Springs Scar patterns recorded 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 48 Manatee rescue SSJEA Stumpy M&Calf Club Cont. May96 Scar pattern Scar pattern Manatee Protection Waterways activities/events Rescues & carcass recovery Other observations Special areas 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 53 Ron Nelson JEA 12/1/2011 Jacksonville UniversityRon Nelson JEA 54 Manatee rescued at JU dock broken back later died at Sea World 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 56 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 57 Moving dredge equipment ICW N. Acoustics study MANATEE MORTALITY 31% 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 61 44% 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 62 Zone Map Original Zones 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 64 Current Zones Dolphins Nellie at Marineland is JU’s Mascot 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 66 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 67 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 68 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 69 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 70 To report manatee or dolphin sightings and deaths, injuries, orphaned calves, tag sightings or harassment please contact: JU Phone: (904)-256-7575 FWC Phone: 1-888-404-3922 Cell: *FWC Radio: VHF Ch.16 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 71 Marine Science Research Institute 12/1/2011 Jacksonville University 72 END Source: FWCC, DEP, BPSM, FMRI. Source: FWCC, DEP, BPSM, FMRI. Source: FWCC, DEP, BPSM, FMRI..