shop, in which the Commission participated, to 
evaluate information on the population biology of 
Florida manatees. As part of the workshop, a panel 
of population biology experts reviewed available data 
to identify analyses that could be done to better 
determine population trends. Representatives of the 
Service and the Department reported on the results of 
the workshop at the Commission’s meeting. They 
noted that significant progress had been made on 
defining key population parameters, such as popula- 
tion size, survival rates, the percentage of reproduc- 
tively mature animals, and the age at first reproduc- 
tion. In particular, they noted that new estimates for 
certain parameters recently had been developed and 
that new research capabilities for estimating the age of 
dead manatees (i.e., by examining their ear bones and 
utilizing the manatee photo-identification scar cata- 
logue) would soon yield new or better estimates for 
several key parameters. 
Future research needs identified at the workshop as 
being particularly important include continuing to 
develop age-determination techniques; evaluating the 
use of aerial photogrammetry to assess population age- 
structure based on animal lengths; maintaining photo- 
identification records in the manatee scar catalogue 
and using those records to estimate survival rates by 
means of mark/recapture analyses; assessing the 
accuracy of parameter estimates based on different 
data sets; and developing provisional population 
models using those estimates. 
Development of a Geographic Information Sys- 
tem — Much progress also has been made by the 
Florida Department of Natural Resources in develop- 
ing a computerized geographic information system 
containing manatee data. During the past three years, 
base maps covering manatee habitat in the United 
States have been digitized. In addition, key manatee 
data sets (e.g., manatee mortality data, radio-tracking 
locations, and aerial survey sightings) have been 
entered. The system is now a basic tool for providing 
Federal, State, and local officials with site-specific 
information for routine research and management 
tasks. It is especially valuable for reviewing permit 
applications and developing boat speed regulations. 
Major needs are to ensure that key agencies have the 
hardware, software, and staff expertise to fully utilize 
11 
Chapter III — Species of Special Concern 
the system, and to constitute a geographic information 
system coordinating team to guide future system 
development and use. 
Boat Speed Regulations — Perhaps the most 
demanding and controversial element of the manatee 
recovery program is an important initiative by the 
State of Florida to institute boat speed rules for 
waterways in each of 13 key manatee counties. Prior 
to the initiative, boat speeds were unrestricted in 
almost all areas. Because boaters cannot easily sight 
and avoid manatees, rules are necessary to reduce 
boat speeds in areas where manatees occur most often 
so that manatees have some chance of avoiding 
oncoming boats. Begun in 1989, the rulemaking 
effort is being done on a county-by-county basis. 
The process begins with deliberations between 
county and Florida Department of Natural Resources 
staff to develop proposed county-wide rules. Propos- 
als are designed to reflect local patterns of manatee 
use and boat traffic. Local hearings are then held to 
solicit public comment, proposed rules are modified 
as warranted, and final proposed rules are submitted 
to the Florida Governor and Cabinet for review and 
approval. County rules usually include the following 
basic types of zones, which may be seasonal or year- 
round: limited access (e.g., no entry); idle speed; 
slow speed (i.e., about 5 to 8 MPH); and restricted 
speed (e.g., 20, 25, or 30 MPH). A county rule 
package may cover hundreds of miles of waterways. 
Once adopted, zones must be posted with signs, the 
regulations must be made known to boaters, and the 
rules must be enforced. 
During the Commission’s review, representatives 
of the Florida Department of Natural Resources 
reported that rules had been adopted for 8 of the 13 
key manatee counties over the past two and one-half 
years and that rules for each of the remaining five 
counties were in various stages of development. 
Although the process has taken longer than antici- 
pated, progress to date has been outstanding, given 
the required steps in the rulemaking process and the 
often intense public debate over proposed measures. 
Although only time will tell, it appears that the 
adopted measures offer a realistic hope for effectively 
lessening the number of manatee collisions with 
