Scientists study Tampa Bay sea grass mowed down by boat propellers
A team of scientists at the University of Florida and Auburn University are using artificial intelligence to locate areas where boat propellers have struck and killed seagrass beds across Tampa Bay. Since the project began, researchers have detected roughly 24,000 different propeller scars
Published Dec. 7, 2022
Quenton Tuckett, a UF research assistant scientist, displays a handful of Syringodium, or “manatee grass” that he plucked from the water Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. DIRK SHADD | Times
A discolored line is seen in the water off the coast of Ruskin Monday. The line is caused by boat propellers running close to the seabed. DIRK SHADD | Times
Josh Patterson, right, and Quenton Tuckett, head out on the water Monday. DIRK SHADD | Times
The discolored line in the water is caused by propeller scars in the sea grass off the shore of Ruskin in Tampa Bay. DIRK SHADD | Times
Josh Patterson, University of Florida associate professor, keeps his eyes on the shallow water off the shore of Ruskin in Tampa Bay. DIRK SHADD | Times
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A marker reminding boaters to travel at a slow speed in a manatee area is seen on the water just off the shore of Ruskin. DIRK SHADD | Times
Quenton Tuckett sits on the gunnel of a boat while heading out to check on sea grass just off the shore of Ruskin Monday. DIRK SHADD | Times
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/GR4QMFEPHFHNFDCDJ46A2H5NFM.jpg "Quenton Tuckett, a UF research assistant scientist, displays a handful of Syringodium, or “manatee grass” that he plucked from the water Monday, Dec. 5, 2022.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/NJ7NVY6CQJFQVHNS5GCR3BQIVM.jpg "A discolored line is seen in the water off the coast of Ruskin Monday. The line is caused by boat propellers running close to the seabed.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6UFFDZSU6NARHG5DXFHZLTFK4Q.jpg "Josh Patterson, right, and Quenton Tuckett, head out on the water Monday.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/QSP7VJYAPRDZXK3PBERZZXZA5A.jpg "The discolored line in the water is caused by propeller scars in the sea grass off the shore of Ruskin in Tampa Bay.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XJ5AFEPW7FEG5AV372QSIDP3QY.jpg "Josh Patterson, University of Florida associate professor, keeps his eyes on the shallow water off the shore of Ruskin in Tampa Bay.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MVG6O7BTTJDFLAM3JUCJGKF5WM.jpg "A marker reminding boaters to travel at a slow speed in a manatee area is seen on the water just off the shore of Ruskin.")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TXYI5MXNSVGYHP2C6NKYGKOC5Y.jpg "Quenton Tuckett sits on the gunnel of a boat while heading out to check on sea grass just off the shore of Ruskin Monday.")
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