Third Synoptic Survey to Count Manatees Complete

St. Petersburg—According to biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI), optimal weather conditions contributed to the success of the January 26–28 statewide synoptic survey to count manatees. The count produced a total number of 3,029 manatees; the third highest count since the survey began in 1991. On Florida’s gulf coast, observers counted 1,324 manatees; on the east coast, observers counted 1,705 manatees.

This year, the first synoptic survey to count manatees was conducted on January 9. That survey produced a total count of 2,861 manatees: 1,166 on Florida’s gulf coast and 1,695 on the east coast. The second synoptic survey this year, conducted January 21—22, produced a total count of 3,113 manatees: 1,299 on Florida’s gulf coast and 1,814 on the east coast.

Twenty-two teams, consisting of 15 air and 7 ground crews and 14 agencies, participated in this year’s latest survey.

Biologists have a prescription for favorable weather conditions for manatee surveys:
• A prolonged cold front
• A significant drop in water temperature
• A sunny, windless day following the cold front

For questions regarding the most recent synoptic survey please contact Allison McDonald or Dr. Bruce Ackerman at (727) 896-8626.For more information on other ways biologists assess the manatee population please visit www.floridamarine.org, then select "manatees."

ANNUAL HIGH SYNOPTIC SURVEY RESULTS 1991-2003
1991 1,465
1992 1,856
1993 *
1994 *
1995 1,822
1996 2,639
1997 2,229
1998 2,022
1999 2,353
2000 2,223
2001 3,276
2002 1,796
2003 3,113
*Surveys not conducted

Table from the Florida Marine Research Institute Web site depicting past counts.
Synoptic surveys of manatees, east and west coasts of Florida, 1991 to 2002.
Day(s) Month/Yr East West Total
23-24 Jan 1991 685 582 1,267
17-18 Feb 1991 813 652 1,465
17-18 Jan 1992 907 949 1,856
21-22 Jan 1995 665 778 1,443
06-07 Feb 1995 915 907 1,822
09-10 Jan 1996 1,223 1,051 2,274
18-19 Feb 1996 1,457 1,182 2,639
19-20 Jan 1997 900 1,329 2,229
13 Feb 1997 791 918 1,709
29-30 Jan 1998 1,112 910 2,022
06 Jan 1999 848 1,025 1,873
23 Feb 1999 905 1,129 2,034
06 Mar 1999 956 1,397 2,353
16-17 Jan 2000 621 1,009 1,630
26-27 Jan 2000 1,132 1,091 2,223
05-06 Jan 2001 1,520 1,756 3,276
01 Mar 2002 860 936 1,796

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