Charlotte County plans for manatee detection software after 2 die in lock

A lock kills two manatees in six months and now a plan is in the works to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

It happened at the South Gulf Cove Lock in Charlotte County. It’s where boaters go from canal to the harbor.

The most recent manatee to die in the gate was crushed.

Public Works Director John Elias said manatee deaths can’t keep happening.

“The manatee deaths that we experienced out there were a result of them getting in the lock mechanism as it was shutting,” Elias said. “The lock depth is pretty deep and the water is typically tan and stained so it’s dark. You really can’t see the bottom there.”

Charlotte County is looking at a high-tech way to keep sea cows safe.

“In going through the permit process, it was determined that it would probably behoove us to try to look at some software technology that will allow us to determine when a manatee might be right close to the gate, and not allow the gates to shut,” Elias said.

“It would be very similar, I think to the technology that you have on your garage door opener, so that you don’t, you know, you’re not under the garage door when it comes down,” Elias added.

The software won’t save every manatee, but it’s a start.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 27 manatees died in Charlotte County in the last year.

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