Are any improvements planned for the synoptic survey?
Currently, the FWC is testing new survey methods and evaluating their results. As part of the development of any new study plan, the FWC must test methods before applying the approach to address a particular goal. The new methods involve surveying within all known winter manatee habitat, allowing biologists to estimate the number of animals not counted, and making the survey less dependent on very cold weather conditions. The FWC’s goal is to implement statistically sound methods to estimate the Florida manatee population and monitor trends, rather than provide only a minimum count under the current synoptic method.
