The segment I chose was people who know a lot about the issue of manatee protection and endangerment, as they would be able to provide me with the most insight into what the true needs of the effort are. I was actually able to meet with a researcher within UF’s Large Animal Aquatics department, who conducts research on manatees and their migration habits. She was able to provide me with a lot of helpful information regarding what dangers they put themselves in when unable to move out of the way of incoming boats, and how it affects them long-term. The other people I interviewed were an animal rights activist and a boat owner. They came at the issue from very different angles, obviously, but both seemed to care about the wellbeing of aquatic animals- just to different degrees.
After this, I realized that when these individuals are looking for options to reduce their impact on aquatic ecosystems, they look for alternative ways to do the activities they are already used to doing, or for products that will make it easier to be kind to the environment without truly impacting their day to day doings.
I think that the awareness is relatively out there in the boating community and that people know manatees and other large aquatic animals are being affected by our activities, but there haven’t been solutions marketed to them that seem to make it “easy enough” to care more. People are looking for quick, effortless ways to be more worldly and aware, and I think my product offers that more than others do.
Hi again, Emma! The segment you chose was a good start into finding more about how you could further your research on manatee protection and endangerment. Getting information from actual experts is very different from information you may find online or in other journals because these experts could actually tell you stories from their past-experiences. I also agree with your point about making your product innovative and efficient because those two are the key characteristics buyers and customers will be drawn to the most.
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ReplyDeleteI think it's amazing that you were able to meet with someone from UF's Large Animal Aquatics department. It sounds like it worked out for you really well. I also think you found out something important, and that is that people would like to do better things for the environment but also while it doesn't impact their daily lifestyle. I love the research that you did. Great work!
Hey Emma, although I think that the segment you chose really provided you with a lot of useful insight on to how good your product is, which is think is something really useful. But I think that another demographic you could do more research on is just active fishermen or people that spend a lot of time on the water because I know that people who are out on the water because they tend to get really close to manatees which is also not good for them. Look forward to what else you have to offer.
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