Research Archives - Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Inaugural Workshop Advances Conservation Efforts Through The Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance

Updated March 24, 2025 Posted March 20, 2025

Conservation leaders from across the Caribbean gathered in the Dominican Republic from February 26-28, 2025, for the inaugural workshop of the Wider Caribbean Manatee Alliance (WCMA). Hosted by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute (CMARI) and local partner FUNDEMAR, the workshop brought together 32 participants from 17 Caribbean countries and 27 institutions, including aquariums, NGOs, government agencies, and universities, to advance manatee conservation efforts across the region.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Receives $3.5 Million for Manatee Research and Rehabilitation Pools

Posted June 16, 2022

Florida Governor Desantis signed a record $109.9 billion budget including $3.5 million directed for manatee rehabilitation pools at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The funds are part of a record $20 million set to enhance and expand the State’s manatee acute care facilities and to restore spring access and habitat restoration in manatee concentrated areas.

Study Confirms Belizean Manatees Face Similar Fate to Florida Manatees, Death by Boat Strike

Posted June 14, 2022

Data collected by the Belize Marine Mammal Stranding Network found that collision with watercraft accounted for the main cause of manatee strandings over a 23-year period, from 1997 to 2019.

Manatees in the Dominican Republic Get Help from Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute

Updated March 23, 2023 Posted June 28, 2021

Juanita, Pepe and Lupita are West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) that have set a record. They are the very first manatees to be successfully rescued, rehabilitated, released, and tracked in the Dominican Republic.

Tracking Chessie The Traveling Manatee

Updated March 23, 2023 Posted May 11, 2021

Chessie, a manatee known to have traveled from Florida to Rhode Island in the 90s, is now being tracked by scientists at Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute.

Entangled Right Whale Found Dead off South Carolina Coast

Updated March 8, 2021 Posted March 1, 2021

Chronic entanglement was this right whale’s cause of death.

Action Needed – Speak Up For Right Whales

Posted February 17, 2021

The federal government is accepting comments on proposed changes to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan and your voice matters. Let regulators know that you care about the future of the North Atlantic right whale.

New Guidelines, Same Mission

Posted February 10, 2021

We are all committed to taking as many precautions as necessary to make sure that we have a safe and successful field season. In order to do so, we implemented a series of safety protocols that are in line with CDC, state, and local guidelines.

A ‘Crash Course’ in Training

Posted January 27, 2021

Hoisted in the air, dropped into the pool, submerged underwater, and rolled. Lights out and sounds of a real crash occurring… “ditching, ditching, ditching” echoed throughout.

Preparing for the Right Whale Season

Posted January 5, 2021

First things first. Field work requires staff. Working as a North Atlantic right whale (NARW) aerial observer for CMARI is a seasonal position. Previous staff are often the first to hear from me regarding their interest level in returning for another year.