The projects, described in greater detail in Chapter XI 

 of this report, included: (1) convening a workshop and 

 preparing a report on possible cooperative efforts to develop 

 a computer-based geographic information system to help study 

 and manage manatee habitat; (2) investigating the feasibility 

 of determining the age of manatees using bone growth layers; 

 (3) assessing the possible use of "DNA fingerprinting" to 

 determine genetic variability, kinship relationships, and 

 reproductive success of manatees; (4) purchasing a portable 

 computer suitable for field use to aid in studies of seagrasses 

 at Hobe Sound; (5) supplementing the Hobe Sound seagrass studies 

 to include assessment of the effects of manatee grazing on 

 seagrasses; (6) preparing a short article on why it is important 

 to save manatees for a popular book on what must be done to 

 save the manatee; and (7) support for efforts by the 

 Commission's Committee of Scientific Advisors and staff to 

 develop a report on habitat protection needs for the population 

 of manatees on the east coast of Florida and Georgia. 



Habitat Protection 



As described in previous Annual Reports, in 1984 the 

 Commission completed a report entitled "Habitat Protection 

 Needs for the Subpopulation of West Indian Manatees in the 

 Crystal River Area of Northwest Florida" (see Appendix B, 

 Marine Mammal Commission 1984) . The purpose of that report 

 was to identify needs and make recommendations for protecting 

 a full complement of summer and winter manatee habitat necessary 

 to assure the long-term survival of one of Florida's discrete 

 manatee subpopulations . Among other things, the Report recom- 

 mended acquiring several areas along the Crystal, Homosassa, 

 and Suwannee Rivers for incorporation into a regional system 

 of Federal and State refuges, reserves, preserves, and parks. 



The Commission's report was provided to the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service and the Florida Department of Natural Resources 

 late in 1984. In March 1985, the Fish and Wildlife Service 

 convened a meeting of representatives from Federal and State 

 agencies, including the Marine Mammal Commission, to consider 

 recommendations in the report. During the meeting, participants 

 developed a long-term, seven-point program for acquiring and 

 protecting habitat essential for the survival and growth of 

 Crystal River manatees. Since that meeting, a number of 

 steps have been taken to pursue the program. The Fish and 

 Wildlife Service has: (a) acquired shoreline areas along the 

 lower Suwannee River (an essential summer feeding area for 

 manatees) as part of the new Lower Suwannee National Wildlife 

 Refuge; (b) completed planning for the acquisition of uplands 

 and wetlands along the lower Homosassa River (an important 

 winter travel corridor and feeding area) for incorporation 

 into the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge; and (c) 

 secured funds to acquire and develop an interpretative/education 



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