Chances of a close encounter between Florida manatees and boaters increase in the spring.
That’s when manatees leave their winter refuges and travel along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and through inland waters.
For boaters, it is the time to be especially vigilant to avoid colliding with these large aquatic mammals.
From April 1 through Nov. 15, seasonal manatee zones require boaters to slow down in certain areas to prevent manatees from being struck by motorboats or personal watercrafts.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s enforcements officers will be on patrol in state waters to remind boaters of the seasonal manatee speed zones and take enforcement actions when deemed necessary.
Underwater manatees can be difficult to detect, so operators of boats and personal watercrafts can help by following these tips from the FWC’s Manatee Management Program:
- Wear polarized sunglasses to help spot manatees.
- Look for large circles in the water, also known as manatee footprints, indicating the presence of a manatee below.
- Look for a snout sticking up out of the water.
- Follow posted manatee zones while boating.
- Report an injured, distressed, sick or dead manatee to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922.
Manatee zones and maps are available at MyFWC.com/Manatee, by selecting “Protection Zones” for links to the county maps.
Published March 28, 2018
