The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show has an ongoing commitment to support and protect marine wildlife. To reinforce this commitment, we have implemented a comprehensive plan for the safety of any manatees in the area during the sea trials.
To maximize the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show’s responsiveness during sea trials, the Boat Show’s parent company, Informa Markets, has retained Dr. Amy C. Hirons, Director, Charismatic Megafauna and Oceanography Laboratory (CMOL) at Nova Southeastern University, to conduct a thorough assessment.
Dr. Hirons scope of work will consist of the following:
1) Locate, organize, and train 10-20 individuals, predominantly Nova Southeastern University marine graduate and undergraduate students, to act as Manatee Spotters for the duration of the show. A training session will be required for these Manatee Spotters on Tuesday, 15 February. Spotters will be trained to:
- Keep a sharp lookout and to identify snouts and silhouettes
- Reduce speed in areas known for manatees
- Inform sea trial participants to keep their distance from manatees
- Inform sea trial participants to slow vessels immediately and to place the boat in neutral in the event of a manatee sighting
One Spotter is anticipated per vessel (35’ and greater). The Spotters will be required to wear polarized sunglasses and a designated t-shirt or vest identifying them as a Manatee Spotter. Each vessel should have marine binoculars that the Spotters can use for greater visual acuity.
Each Spotter will collect data on manatee observations during each sea trial and in the vicinity of the marina, base of sea trials as well as Venetian and MacArthur Causeways (number sighted, distance, day, time) on a manatee log.
2) There will be three drones flying the show. Each drone will cover a different area – (i) one will be located at the sea-isle marina north of the Venetian Causeway, (ii) one will be at the Genting property located between the Venetian Causeway and the MacArthur Causeway, and (iii) one at the Museum Park slip/cruise ship turning basin located south of the MacArthur Causeway.
The drone pilots will be stationed on the end of the docks near the water taxi stands. Each done pilot will have a separate 10x10 shaded tent with AC power to charge their equipment. Drone pilots will communicate with water taxi and sea trial captains through VHF and closed UHF communication networks. Drone pilots will record in-water conditions, and the recordings will be analyzed by CMOL and findings will be incorporated into a final report.
3) A final report assimilating all available manatee encounter data during the boat show will be provided to Informa Markets 60 days post closure of the MIBS and receipt of all data.
4) Informa Markets has also contributed a $20,000 corporate sponsorship of the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s (SMM) international conference, SMM2021, which will be held in Palm Beach, FL 1-5 August 2022. During the conference, Dr. Hirons will present the results of her final report, and a moderated panel of biologists, regulators and industry representatives will discuss the importance of coordinated environmental initiatives among the business community, the scientific community and government.