Chapter 11 — Species of Special Concern 



man 1988 and Marine Mammal Commission 1989). 

 The Commission urged development of an effective 

 satellite tagging and tracking program to gather more 

 precise information on manatee habitat use patterns. 

 It also recommended site-specific actions to enlarge 

 the system of boat speed regulatory zones, strengthen 

 enforcement, acquire important manatee habitat, 

 control shoreline development in key manatee areas, 

 improve the manatee salvage and necropsy program, 

 and speed development of a geographic information 

 system for storing, manipulating, and retrieving 

 research data crucial for manatee management. 



The Service completed work on the revised recov- 

 ery plan and, in May 1989, adopted it. The revision 

 was exceedingly well done and, in a strong show of 

 support for carrying out its provisions, it was signed 

 by the heads of 12 other cooperating Federal and State 

 agencies and private organizations, including the 

 Marine Mammal Commission. The new plan reflects 

 most of the Commission's recommendations and, 

 consistent with its provisions, research and manage- 

 ment efforts are being further increased. Major new 

 efforts are focusing on tagging and tracking manatees, 

 expanding boat speed regulatory zones, and acquiring 

 and protecting important manatee habitat. 



Activities in Support of the 

 Revised Manatee Recovery Plan 



Research and Management Funding — The 



revised manatee recovery plan adopted in 1989 clearly 

 identifies the need for expanding research and man- 

 agement efforts. While it calls for additional support 

 from all cooperating agencies, most increased commit- 

 ments fall upon the Fish and Wildlife Service and the 

 Florida Department of Natural Resources. 



As noted in previous Aimual Reports, the Florida 

 Legislature substantially increased funding and person- 

 nel limits to enable the Florida Department of Natural 

 Resources to meet its expanded responsibilities under 

 the recovery plan. In 1990, it authorized nine addi- 

 tional staff positions for the Department's mana- 

 tee/marine mammal program. In 1991, these posi- 

 tions were filled, doubling the size of the program's 

 staff. 



In 1989, the Florida Legislature established a Save 

 the Manatee Trust Fund, which provides support for 

 the State's manatee program. The Fund is maintained 

 by annual contributions from a part of State boat 

 registration fees, fees for an optional State automobile 

 license plate featuring a manatee, voluntary contribu- 

 tions, and other sources as authorized by the Florida 

 Legislature. To cover increases in salaries and 

 expenses for the manatee program, the Legislature 

 provided supplemental program funding and autho- 

 rized an increase in certain Fund contributions. For 

 Florida's Fiscal Year 1990-1991 (1 July 1990 - 30 

 June 1991), the program's budget was $1,171,406; 

 for Fiscal Year 1991-1992, it is $2,210,336. 



The additional staff and funding are being used to: 

 (1) develop and help implement county-wide boat 

 speed regulatory zones in 13 key counties where the 

 risk of boat kills is particularly great; (2) help develop 

 county manatee protection plans in those counties; 

 (3) shorten response times and improve facilities for 

 manatee necropsy and rescue efforts; (4) improve 

 understanding of manatee habitat use patterns through 

 aerial surveys and radio-tagging studies; (5) develop 

 a geographic information system to compile and map 

 relevant information for management decisions; (6) 

 review permit and submerged lands lease applications 

 for development projects and marine events (e.g., boat 

 races) in manatee habitat; and (7) support the develop- 

 ment and distribution of public information and 

 education materials. 



Early in 1990, however, it was not clear whether 

 the Fish and Wildlife Service was taking the steps 

 necessary to support the most critical elements of its 

 responsibilities under the revised plan. Therefore, the 

 Commission, in consultation with its Committee of 

 Scientific Advisors, reviewed tasks identified in the 

 plan and, on 2 March 1990, wrote to the Service. 



In its letter, the Commission expressed concern 

 that the level of funding needed to meet Service 

 responsibilities was not adequate for even maintaining 

 past levels of effort. It also set forth views as to 

 minimum levels of funding and personnel needed by 

 the Service to address only its highest priority work in 

 Fiscal Years 1991 through 1995. For Fiscal Years 

 1991 and 1992, it recommended that Service research 



