St. Pete is the headquarters for the largest manatee research program in the world. Manatees are one of the best-loved, yet most controversial, species in Florida. Dr. Ackerman is currently involved in research to estimate the size of the manatee population in Florida, and this winter his aerial survey team has counted over 2,200 manatees. More than 200 were seen in Tampa Bay. Other researchers at the lab use satellites to radio-track manatees and study the individual life histories and travels of identified manatees.
Some researchers rescue sick and injured manatees, and study the causes of death.
Still other researchers are partnering with county governments to create manatee caution areas. This is an innovative approach being developed to encourage the 100,000 boaters in the Bay area to slow down in the shallowest coastal areas. This will protect manatees from collisions, as well as protecting seagrass meadows from propeller damage. Seagrass meadows are an important food source for manatees, but also are very important as a nursery area for fish and shrimp species, and a vital feeding area for many kinds of wading birds. Winter is a great time to see manatees congregated together in large numbers on the coldest days.