Keep Manatees Safe by Boating Responsibly

Manatees are one of Florida’s most beloved natural resources. The gentle marine mammals live in our estuaries and river systems, typically where the water stays above 68 degrees. Because they are an endangered species and protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, manatees have safe zones, such as Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, created to protect the species and help ensure its survival. As manatee mortalities have increased in that part of Citrus County, additional protection is absolutely necessary. However, some political officials disagree.

Manatee Deaths on the Rise in Kings Bay

The Crystal River refuge was established in 1983 and is one of the largest sanctuaries for the gentle creatures. Manatees use this refuge year-round and access the tributaries and river systems surrounding Kings Bay. When the refuge was established, there were 100 manatees using the bay for foraging and warming and, thankfully, there are now 550 manatees counted in the area. Unfortunately, manatees aren’t the only mammals using this area; humans and their speed boats use the bay and rivers, as well, which has contributed to 16 boat-related manatee deaths. In the past 10 years, 13 manatee deaths have occurred, and half of those deaths occurred during the summer.

The Proposal to Protect Manatees

So what lies in store for the protection of Florida’s marine mammal? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to make all of Kings Bay a refuge for the endangered species. This would create permanent no-boat zones. The rules were put in to place to close certain areas if necessary. The FWS would like permanent protection because, under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, manatees in Kings Bay are considered in danger. These acts say that all species listed that are in danger of being harassed, harmed, injured or killed will be further protected if substantial evidence has been gathered. In this case, the mounting deaths in the past decade have resulted in a new proposal.

Issues Surrounding Manatee Protection

The Crystal River City Council and Citrus County Commission are contesting the new regulations, arguing that increased protection within the refuge will have a negative economic effect on the local economy. Many homeowners believe that the new proposals would infringe on their private property rights, take away their recreation and harm the local economy if people won’t be allowed to pay to ride a boat out to swim with the manatees.

How You Can Help

Personally, I believe that it is our responsibility to protect species that have no voice. Because local politicians in the area are in such distress over the new proposals, we will have to fight harder to ensure the manatee's continued protection. Won’t you join me and sign the petition in support of the new proposal to expand the manatee protection areas? Ten thousand signatures are needed, and only half of that goal has been met.

Please feel free to share the petition with friends and family so that we can protect these gentle creatures from being harmed and killed by high-powered motors. The fact is that as manatees continue to head to safety, the protection areas should also increase. Let’s save the manatees!

Getting Involved in Gulfport

The Fish and Wildlife Service's North Florida Ecological Services Office, which is behind the Crystal River refuge expansion and other efforts in Citrus County, also oversees Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Manatee counties in the Tampa Bay area. You can contact the office online or at its satellite office in St. Petersburg, or keep up with what's happening on Facebook or Twitter (while you're there, become a fan of Gulfport Patch!).

The Tampa Bay Estuary Program's Manatee Awareness Coalition is made up of government officials, utility companies, scientists, boaters and citizens from across the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas County and Progress Energy. The coalition provides these tips for responsible boating [PDF]:

• Wear polarized sunglasses.
• Stay in deep water channels, and avoid running your motor over seagrass beds.
• Look for manatees in the water. A swirl or flat spot may indicate a manatee is swimming below.
• Watch for posted speed zone and sanctuary signs.
• Don't discard fishing line, hooks or trash into the water.
• Look, but don't touch. Resist the urge to feed manatees or give them water.

If you spot a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). 

Boaters and shoreline property owners can also get a free sign and decal from the Save the Manatee Club to help improve public awareness.

Correction: Anyone who spots a manatee in distress should call 888-404-FWCC (3922). An earlier version of this article contained an incorrect phone number.