Cognition as a Conservation Tool: A Case Study of Florida Manatees and Boat Strikes

Abstract

Boat strikes injure and kill large numbers of Florida manatees ( Trichechus manatus latirostris ) each year. Management actions taken to mitigate this threat can be potentially enhanced by consideration of manatee cognitive processes. The role of cognition in marine mammal conservation has received little consideration in the literature. Here, we integrate discoveries from laboratory research on auditory sensory processes and perception with findings from field studies of how manatees respond to motorized vessels and the effect of the ambient soundscape on response times to boat noise. We incorporate that information into recommendations for manatee management to further reduce the risk of collisions. We also suggest lines of research to investigate other relevant cognitive issues—including attention, learning, memory, and decision‐making—to improve conservation efforts and understanding of manatee behavior.

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