FWC Research Updates: November 2025

November is Manatee Awareness Month Help support manatee conservation by purchasing your own Florida manatee license plate! The fee collected during the purchase of your manatee license plate goes directly into the Save the Manatee Trust Fund (Trust Fund). The Trust Fund is a key source of funding for the State's manatee-related research, rescue, and conservation activities. Through the long-term public support of the Trust Fund, critical information gained from the FWC’s research, rescue, and monitoring efforts continues to provide conservation managers and the public with timely, science-based information needed to guide current and future conservation actions. There are two ways you can purchase a manatee license plate: Renew your existing manatee plate online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Visit your local Tax Collector’s office in person to get your very own manatee license plate Learn More Amazing Manatee Bone Facts Six neck bones instead of seven (6-7 ). Because of this, manatees cannot turn their heads sideways, so they rotate their entire body to look behind them. Small pelvic bones. These are not attached to its skeletal frame, and they are remnants of a time when manatee ancestors lived on land. Solid rib bones. Their ribs contain no marrow; manatees make red blood cells in their sternum, where there is marrow. Hyoid bones in the neck. These bones are similar to the Adam’s apple in humans, and there is no known use for them today. Pectoral flippers with “finger bones”. Inside each flipper are bones similar to those found in a human hand. A manatee uses flippers to move through the water, pulls itself along the bottom when in shallow water, and brings food to its mouth. View Post FWRI at Fashion Funds the Cure Earlier this year, members of our sea turtle team had the privilege of participating in Fashion Funds the Cure, a charitable fashion show that celebrates the strength, courage, and dreams of pediatric cancer patients.  As part of the celebration, each child shares what they want to be when they grow up, modeling their dream for the future during a second walk. Kennedy wants to be a sea turtle biologist when she grows up, and was joined on stage by two biologists from our turtle team! View Post Tangled & Released: A Successful Rescue in the Field  In September, FWRI freshwater fisheries biologists performing an electrofishing survey came across an alligator snapping turtle trapped in old, unattended trotline.   Researchers moved quickly to bring the turtle onto the boat, and carefully cut the main line wrapped around its leg.   After close examination, the turtle was deemed releasable and only suffered minor injuries. Staff observed that after a short rest, the turtle swam off on its own. View Post YouTube Spotlight: Black Crappie Community Science Program Do you fish for black crappie at Tenoroc? FWC is launching a new community science program, and we need your help collecting fin clip samples from Tenoroc’s crappie. Your participation directly supports research and helps us manage and improve the fishery for everyone. Getting started is easy. Sign up with FWC to receive your free sample box, which includes everything you need, plus simple step-by-step instructions. This is your chance to give back to the fishery you love and play a direct role in shaping its future.️ Watch Video New on MyFWC.com/Research We hope you enjoy these articles that have been recently added/updated on our website: Red Tide Current Status Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources 2025 Manatee Mortalities Annual Rescue Summaries [Manatee] Coastal Habitat Integrated Mapping and Monitoring Program (CHIMMP) CHIMMP Workshops and Resources Cooperative Land Cover, Version 4.0 - Published November 2025 New Publications Our Mission Through effective research and technical knowledge, we provide timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources.

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