Seven-Year Manatee Survey Looking at Seasonal Patterns of Frequently Observed Individuals in the Harbor Branch Channel Using Photo-Identification Techniques

Author

• Lauren Goldsworthy Gomez

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Moore, Jon

Abstract

The manatee project at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute was established in 2009. Land-based observations and photo-identification techniques have been used over the past seven years, allowing observers to recognize specific resident manatees that visit this location season after season. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Biological Resources Division maintains a photo-identification database of manatees known as the Manatee Individual Photo-identification System, or MIPS. The photographs from the Manatee Project have been shared with the MIPS database and several manatees from the Manatee Project were matches, indicating some of the manatees are migrants. This project focuses on the seasonal visitation patterns of frequently observed manatees in the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute channel. Knowing which manatees are residents allows observers to preliminarily identify specific individuals that will be part of a future acoustic tagging project.

Comments

Includes bibliography.

Recommended Citation

Goldsworthy Gomez, Lauren, "Seven-Year Manatee Survey Looking at Seasonal Patterns of Frequently Observed Individuals in the Harbor Branch Channel Using Photo-Identification Techniques" (2016). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2010 - 2019. 265.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_2/265

Extent

39 p.

Identifier

FA00003674