IUCN
Sirenian Specialist Group
Southeast USA Region
Sirenian Specialist Group
Southeast USA Region
February 2014
Southeast USA Region
Objectives
- Promote policies that protect and conserve Florida manatees and their critical habitats in the southeast USA at the state and Federal levels.
- Assist in bringing attention to rehabilitation efforts and investigations regarding manatee mortality events.
- Assist in bringing attention to the potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of manatees in the southeast USA.
- Promote educational efforts regarding sirenian conservation in the region to a broad array of stakeholders.
- To be an expert resource panel for the IUCN and other stakeholders.
Issues of concern
- Red tide and episodic mass die-offs.
- Habitat loss (seagrass and SAV degradation and loss).
- Protection of warm water refuges.
- Coastal development.
- Boat speed zones.
- Harassment in sanctuaries.
Regional Members
Name: Christopher D. Marshall
Chair, Southeast USA Region IUCN/SSG
Qualification: Ph.D. Marine Biology
Designation: Professor
Organization: Department of Marine Biology, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University
Present Work Address: Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Bldg 3029, Galveston, TX USA 77551
Email: marshalc@tamug.edu
Telephone: 409-740-4884
Website: https://www.tamug.edu/marshall
Name: Graham Worthy
Co-Chair Southeast USA Region IUCN/Sirenian Specialist Group
Qualification: Ph.D. (Environmental Physiology)
Designation: Provosts Distinguished Professor of Biology & the Hubbs-SeaWorld Endowed Professor of Marine Mammalogy
Organization: Department of Biology, University of Central Florida
Present Work Address: 4110 Libra Dr, Room BIO402A, Orlando FL USA 32816-2368
Email: Graham.Worthy@ucf.edu
Telephone No : +1 407-823-4701
Website: https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology/faculty/graham-worthy/
Name: Robert Bonde
Qualification: Ph.D.
Designation: Research Biologist and Adjunct Professor at University of Florida
Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Sirenia Project
Present Work Address: USGS, 7920 NW 71 Street, Gainesville, Florida 32653
Email : rbonde@usgs.gov
Telephone No.: 352-264-3555
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.bonde.53
Name: Julie Avery
Qualification: Ph.D.
Designation: Assistant Professor
Present Work Address: Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Building 59, Room 2308, Jacksonville, FL USA 3222
Email: j.avery@unf.edu
Telephone: 904-620-2883
Website: http://www.unf.edu/coas/biology/
Name: Martine deWit
Qualification: DVM, Dipl. ABVP
Designation: Associate Research Scientist
Organization: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Present Work Address: 100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, FL USA 33701-5020
Email: Martine.deWit@MyFWC.com
Telephone: 727-896-8626