This GIS data set represents the state of Florida manatee protection areas as described in the Florida Administrative Code (FAC) Chapter 68C-22. This data set represents only the manatee protection areas for six counties (Brevard, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Sarasota, and Volusia) as published effective 6/24/2002. FWC-ISM staff originally digitized these areas using the 1:40,000 scale shoreline as the base shoreline, but also heads-up digitized corrections to the shoreline in ArcMap using the 1999 DOQQ's as a backdrop where 1:40,000 shoreline was not accurate enough. This process was completed in December 2004. These state of Florida manatee protection zones may differ from manatee protections zones created by City or County authorities and/or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Please contact GIS.Librarian@floridadep.gov for more information.

Critical habitat constitutes areas considered essential for the conservation of a listed species. These areas provide notice to the public and land managers of the importance of the areas to the conservation of this species. Special protections and/or restrictions are possible in areas where Federal funding, permits, licenses, authorizations, or actions occur or are required.

West Indian manatees can be found along the coastal and inland waters of the southern United States, throughout the Caribbean islands and along the eastern coasts of Mexico and Central America and the northern coast of South America.These data identify, in general, the areas of proposed critical habitat for West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus), for the subspecies Florida Manatee in Florida

GIS shapefile of recovered or verified manatee carcass locations within Florida from April 1974 through to the latest available spatially verified data. Locations are based both on coordinates provided by field staff (gathered either by GPS or by using navigation charts to ascertain latitudes and longitudes) and maps provided by the field staff. FWRI GIS staff in the Marine Mammal subsection verify that the provided coordinates match the intent of the plotted location. Points representing carcass locations were entered into a GIS using a digital shoreline basemap taken largely from NOAA navigation charts (1:40,000) and from USGS quadrangles (1:24,000) or in reference to the latest available NAIP aerial imagery when the data were processed. The scale is considered to be 1:40,000.

Original provider: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Dataset credits: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

Abstract: This dataset contains data from the geographic information system (GIS) shapefile of recovered Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) carcass locations within Florida from April 1974 through to the latest spatially verified data presently available. Locations are based both on coordinates provided by field staff (gathered either by geographic positioning system [GPS] or by using navigation charts to ascertain latitudes and longitudes) and maps provided by the field staff. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) GIS staff in the Marine Mammal subsection verify that the provided coordinates match the intent of the plotted location. Points representing carcass locations were entered into a GIS using a digital shoreline basemap taken largely from NOAA navigation charts (1:40,000) and from USGS quadrangles (1:24,000). The scale is considered to be 1:40,000.

Purpose: The primary use of this dataset is to display reported manatee carcass recovery locations and associated attributes, such as cause of death.

Supplemental information: Prior to July 1, 2004, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) was known as the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI).

Counts were not available and filled with "1"; time was not available and filled with "00:00:00."

07/28/2021: Data up to Aug 2020 were added.

01/07/2019: Data up to May 2017 were added. Data format was changed. The previous contact was replaced with Andrea Krzystan.

04/04/2019: Data up to Dec 2017 were added.

07/28/2016: March - June 2015 data were added. The data were downloaded from http://geodata.myfwc.com/datasets/ba5b92ec509f48f38c61aa542e96236f_1 on 07/28/2016.

03/29/2016: 2011-2015 data were added. The data were downloaded from http://geodata.myfwc.com/datasets/ba5b92ec509f48f38c61aa542e96236f_1.

11/11/2011: This dataset, originally containing data from 1974-early 2010, was updated to include data through December 2010 data.

07/21/2011: This dataset, originally containing data from 1974-2008, was updated to include 2009-2010 data.

These data provide an accurate high-resolution shoreline compiled from imagery of Port Manatee, FL . This vector shoreline data is based on an office interpretation of imagery that may be suitable as a geographic information system (GIS) data layer. This metadata describes information for both the line and point shapefiles. The NGS attribution scheme 'Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST)' was developed to conform the attribution of various sources of shoreline data into one attribution catalog. C-COAST is not a recognized standard, but was influenced by the International Hydrographic Organization's S-57 Object-Attribute standard so the data would be more accurately translated into S-57. This resource is a member of https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39808

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Surveys are flown along a standardized, theoretical flight route, which was designed to cover likely manatee habitats in the study area. This "theoretical flight path" indicates the area that was covered during each survey, but it may not be the actual flight route flown on every survey. GPS tracklines recorded during surveys may be available for some flights. Survey area included the Atlantic Coast, Intracoastal Waterway and small tributaries of Indian River County.

The word “synoptic” means presenting a general view of the whole. The current manatee synoptic survey is a count of manatees over a broad area. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) uses these surveys to obtain a general count of manatees statewide. The FWC coordinates an interagency team that conducts the synoptic surveys from one to three times each year (weather permitting). The synoptic surveys are conducted in winter and cover all of the known wintering habitats of manatees in Florida. The survey is conducted to meet Florida state statute 370.12 (4), which requires an annual, impartial, scientific benchmark census of the manatee population. From 1991 through 2019, the counts have been conducted 33 times. These statewide, interagency surveys are currently conducted during the coldest weather of the year (January through March) when manatees move to warm-water sites, such as natural springs, thermal discharges from power and industrial plants, and deep canals. The ideal conditions for the current synoptic survey are cool weather, following a prolonged period of cold weather (usually following multiple cold fronts), low winds, and bright sunshine. Weather conditions and manatee behavior during the survey have a large effect on the synoptic counts. For that reason, the counts are used as indicators of relative abundance within a year and are not suitable for assessing long-term population trends. Counts can vary depending on whether it is warm or cold, sunny or cloudy, calm or windy. Manatees are more easily counted a few days after a cold front when it is slightly warmer, clear, and windless. A warming trend with sunny, windless conditions following cold weather increases the likelihood that manatees will be resting at the water's surface, where observers can easily spot them.

These data provide an accurate high-resolution shoreline compiled from imagery of LITTLE MANATEE RIVER, FL . This vector shoreline data is based on an office interpretation of imagery that may be suitable as a geographic information system (GIS) data layer. This metadata describes information for both the line and point shapefiles. The NGS attribution scheme 'Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST)' was developed to conform the attribution of various sources of shoreline data into one attribution catalog. C-COAST is not a recognized standard, but was influenced by the International Hydrographic Organization's S-57 Object-Attribute standard so the data would be more accurately translated into S-57. This resource is a member of https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39808

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Flights are usually four hours long and are most commonly flown every two weeks for one year. The surveys are designed to maximize the manatee counts by concentrating on shallow nearshore waters around the state where manatees and their primary food source, sea grasses, are located. Flight paths curve parallel to the shoreline, and the airplane circles when manatees are spotted until a count of the number of animals in each group is obtained. Offshore waters are usually not surveyed. Dolphin and sea turtle sightings are recorded opportunistically. All aerial data are recorded on paper maps and entered into a GIS shapefile for spatial analysis. GIS is a computer software system for representing data spatially and for conducting spatial analyses. Surveys of St. Johns and Putnam Counties were flown twice a month from June 1994 to June 1995. FWC staff members were observers for these flights. The survey area includes all waters of St. Johns River in Duval, Clay, St. Johns and Putnam counties from the southwestern portion of Duval County south to the Cross-Florida Barge Canal, which is south of Palatka and Little Lake George. Doctors Lake, Julington, Durbin, Black, Trout, Six-Mile, Deep, and Rice creeks; the Cross-Florida Barge Canal; and creeks and waterways around the Seven Sisters Islands and Murphy Islands were included in the survey.

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Flights are usually 5 hours long and are most commonly flown every two weeks for two years. The surveys are designed to maximize the manatee counts by concentrating on shallow nearshore waters around the state where manatees and their primary food source, sea grasses, are located. Flight paths curve parallel to the shoreline, and the airplane circles when manatees are spotted until a count of the number of animals in each group is obtained. Offshore waters are usually not surveyed. Dolphin and sea turtle sightings are recorded opportunistically. All aerial data are recorded on paper maps and entered into a GIS shapefile for spatial analysis. GIS is a computer software system for representing data spatially and for conducting spatial analyses. Surveys of Manatee County were flown twice a month from May 1985 to December 1986. FWC staff members were observers for these flights. The survey area includes The survey area includes northern part of Manatee County along Tampa Bay, including Manatee River, Braden River, Terra Ceia Bay, Miguel Bay and Terra Ceia Preserve State Park.

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Flights are usually 5 hours long and are most commonly flown every two weeks for two years. The surveys are designed to maximize the manatee counts by concentrating on shallow nearshore waters around the state where manatees and their primary food source, sea grasses, are located. Flight paths curve parallel to the shoreline, and the airplane circles when manatees are spotted until a count of the number of animals in each group is obtained. Offshore waters are usually not surveyed. Dolphin and sea turtle sightings are recorded opportunistically. All aerial data are recorded on paper maps and entered into a GIS shapefile for spatial analysis. GIS is a computer software system for representing data spatially and for conducting spatial analyses. Surveys of Manatee County were flown twice a month from May 1985 to December 1986. FWC staff members were observers for these flights. The survey area includes The survey area includes northern part of Manatee County along Tampa Bay, including Manatee River, Braden River, Terra Ceia Bay, Miguel Bay and Terra Ceia Preserve State Park.

This data set contains polygons representing Zoning as determined by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners and the Manatee County Planning Commission.

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Flights are usually five hours long and are most commonly flown every two weeks for two years. The surveys are designed to maximize the manatee counts by concentrating on shallow nearshore waters around the state where manatees and their primary food source, sea grasses, are located. Flight paths curve parallel to the shoreline, and the airplane circles when manatees are spotted until a count of the number of animals in each group is obtained. Offshore waters are usually not surveyed. Dolphin and sea turtle sightings are recorded opportunistically. All aerial data are recorded on paper maps and entered into a GIS shapefile for spatial analysis. GIS is a computer software system for representing data spatially and for conducting spatial analyses. Surveys of Collier County (Ten Thousand Islands) were flown twice a month from January 1991 to November 1993. FWC staff members were observers for these flights. The survey area is part of the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Collier-Seminole State Park, Cape Romano-Ten Thousand Islands State Aquatic Preserve and Everglades National Park. There are only two towns within the Ten Thousand Islands: Everglades City and Chokoloskee. The area is a complex landscape of numerous mangrove islands, oyster bars and sand spits separated by tidal creeks and passes. Most of the area is estaurine, with strong tidal influence and freshwater input from numerous creeks and drainage canals.

Link to the ScienceBase Item Summary page for the item described by this metadata record. Service Protocol: Link to the ScienceBase Item Summary page for the item described by this metadata record. Application Profile: Web Browser. Link Function: information

Polygon of Kings Bay Manatee Refuge.Please contact GIS.Librarian@FloridaDEP.gov for more information.

Aerial distributional surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of a fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Flights are usually 4–6 hours long, and are most commonly flown every two weeks for two years. Due to the length of the Brevard County survey, the entire survey was flown over the course of two days, with the second flight always being flown within two days of the first flight; on occasion, the entire survey was completed in one day. The surveys are designed to maximize the manatee counts by concentrating on shallow nearshore waters around the state where manatees and their primary food source, seagrasses, are located. Flight paths curve along parallel to the shoreline, and the airplane circles when manatees are spotted until a count of the number of animals in each group is obtained. Offshore waters are usually not surveyed. Dolphin and sea turtle sights are recorded opportunistically. All aerial data are recorded on paper maps and entered into a GIS shapefile for spatial analysis. GIS is a computer software system for representing data spatially and for conducting spatial analyses. Surveys of Brevard County were flown from September 1997 to September 1999. FWC staff members were observers for these flights. The survey area includes the Atlantic Coast, Intracoastal Waterway and small tributaries of Brevard County.

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Surveys are flown along a standardized, theoretical flight route, which was designed to cover all likely manatee habitats in the study area. This "theoretical flight path" indicates the area that was covered during each survey, but it may not be the actual flight route flown on every survey. GPS tracklines recorded during surveys may be available for some flights. This survey was flown as part of a larger study that included six east coast counties divided into five survey segments from north to south; Volusia and N. Brevard counties were within segment 1. The survey area includes the Tomoka Basin and Tomoka River.

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Surveys are flown along a standardized, theoretical flight route, which was designed to cover all likely manatee habitats in the study area. This "theoretical flight path" indicates the area that was covered during each survey, but it may not be the actual flight route flown on every survey. GPS tracklines recorded during surveys may be available for some flights. The survey area includes most of the rivers and coastal waters of Lee County. The major bodies of water include Caloosahatchee and Orange Rivers, San Carlos and Estero Bays, Matlacha Pass and Pine Island Sound. Many undeveloped areas that are under state or federal management were part of the study area.

Aerial distribution surveys are used by marine mammal biologists from FWC and other agencies to determine the seasonal distribution of manatees. Most surveys are conducted from small, four-seat, high-winged airplanes (Cessna 172 or 182) flying at a height of 500-1000 ft at a speed of 70-90 kts. Small helicopters may be used instead of fixed wing aircraft in urban areas or where waters are particularly opaque and hovering may be required. Surveys are flown along a standardized, theoretical flight route, which was designed to cover all likely manatee habitats in the study area.This "theoretical flight path" indicates the area that was covered during each survey, but it may not be the actual flight route flown on every survey. GPS tracklines recorded during surveys may be available for some flights. The survey area includes the northern Collier County border south along the coast to Morgan Point and continuing back north to the Collier border.

These data were automated to provide an accurate high-resolution historical shoreline of Manatee River, FL suitable as a geographic information system (GIS) data layer. These data are derived from shoreline maps that were produced by the NOAA National Ocean Service including its predecessor agencies which were based on an office interpretation of imagery and/or field survey. The NGS attribution scheme 'Coastal Cartographic Object Attribute Source Table (C-COAST)' was developed to conform the attribution of various sources of shoreline data into one attribution catalog. C-COAST is not a recognized standard, but was influenced by the International Hydrographic Organization's S-57 Object-Attribute standard so the data would be more accurately translated into S-57. This resource is a member of https://inport.nmfs.noaa.gov/inport/item/39808