How digital technology could help save this keystone species
The problems
Global Warming
'Cold snaps caused by unusual water-temperature fluctuations are killing manatees, while higher surface-water temperatures contribute to more severe hurricanes and lethal algal blooms.'
Center for Biological Diversity
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/Florida_manatee/
There are over 1,000,000 boats registered in the state of Florida.
Boat Strikes
'A leading human-related threat to the manatee is collisions with watercraft, which account for 20−25% of reported mortalities. Collisions with manatees can cause both sharp and blunt force trauma, and either kind of injury can result in death. Manatees also survive many encounters with watercraft.'
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Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission
https://myfwc.com/research/manatee/rescue-mortality-response/publication/
Pollution
'Florida manatee deaths soar as polluted water kills seagrass
These manmade pollutants can cause algae blooms so thick that seagrass can't get the sunlight it needs to survive, jeopardizing the manatees.'
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Red Tide
'When manatees are poisoned by red tide, they suffer symptoms similar to a seizure and lose control of motor function. Ultimately, they die by drowning as they inadvertently inhale water during a convulsive episode. With timely intervention, manatees suffering from red tide toxins can be provided supportive care to prevent them from drowning.'
Entanglement
'In over 6500 manatee necropsy reports, over 11% either had ingested or showed evidence of entanglement in marine debris (or both). Fifty manatees died as a direct result of either entanglement in or, most commonly, ingestion of marine debris; fishery-related gear was involved in over 70% of these cases'.
Coastal Development
'As new developments are built along waterways, natural nesting areas are destroyed. Sewage, manure, and fertilizer run-off enters the water and causes algal blooms. Some of this algae is toxic and can kill manatees if they eat it.'
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Depletion of the Aquifer
Water consumption from the Florida aquifer has negatively impacted on the natural springs.
'Dependable access to warm water is critical'.
'Historically, manatees relied solely on warm water springs and other natural areas for refuge in winter. With the advent of power plants and other industrial sources of warm water effluent, many manatees began using these discharge basins as winter refuges. It is estimated that currently about 60% of the manatee population is dependent upon industrial sources of warm water... Loss of warm water habitat is a serious long-term threat to manatees.
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Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/manatee/habitat/
Harassment
'Manatees “tamed” by touch and handouts may associate people and boats with rewards, only to be harassed by irresponsible swimmers, forced away from warm waters they need to survive, or injured or killed by a boat propeller blade or hull impact'