For more information:

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution

HBOI Engineering -- Manatee-Safe Swing Lock Gates

HBOI Engineering -- Manatee-Safe Vertical Lift Gates

fe10319

Efforts to protect Florida's Manatees from human-caused harm have found new success: Manatees are often injured by the devices that control Florida water bodies. But those devices are being made safer. Larry Taylor works on the project at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute....

fe10320

Preventing "the other" manatee deaths

While being struck by boats is still the greatest man-caused threat to Florida's Manatee population, injuries from water control devices--such as locks and floodgates--are a problem as well. Larry Taylor is part of an engineering group seeking a solution

fe10321

Sweeping for mines and manatees

Defense technology from the U.S Navy is part of a solution that engineers have come up with to minimize the harm brought to Florida manatees by water control devices like locks and floodgates. Larry Taylor says lockkeepers who control the massive gates on river locks can't possibly see all the Manatees trying to move up- or downriver...

fe10322

Manatee bumpers for floodgates.

Engineers hope they have solved the problem posed for Florida manatees by water control devices--hundreds of floodgates across south Florida. Unlike locks on Florida rivers, where lockkeepers can help watch for Manatees before they close the huge lock doors, these floodgates operate by distant control. Larry Taylor works with Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute...

fe10323

Manatees avoiding boats and vice versa...

Engineers have announced breakthroughs with new sensors for water control devices in Florida--such as locks and floodgates--that will reduce the threat the closing devices pose to Manatees. But as Larry Taylor worked on that project, he said even the 145 documented Manatee deaths from these devices since the 1970s pales in comparison to another human-caused Manatee threat