Warm Mineral Springs Restoration Aims To Improve Manatee Habitat: FWC

NORTH PORT, FL — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission launched a restoration project focused on improving manatee habitats in the downstream outflow of Warm Mineral Springs in North Port.

This area is among “the most important natural manatee warm-water refuge along Florida’s southwest coast,” according to an FWC news release.

Dredging and bank stabilization at Warm Mineral Springs Creek should improve the manatees’ access to the warm-water habitat during colder times of year, increase the water’s volume in the area, remove excess sediment and restore the creek’s natural characteristics, FWC said.

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In winter months, more than 125 Florida manatees have been documented in Warm Mineral Springs Creek.

“Improving manatee habitat is critical now more than ever as manatees along the Atlantic Coast are experiencing an unusual mortality event,” Maria Merrill with the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Management said. “While this project is on the opposite coast…the project directly benefits Florida’s manatee population by improving critically important warm-water habitat.”

Florida’s Indian River Lagoon on the state’s East Coast has been the site of numerous manatee deaths since 2021. The cause is likely massive blooms of toxic algae in recent years, which sickened the sea creatures and also killed off the seagrass beds they depend on for food, Patch reported.

In support of the restoration work, the FWC will be providing additional informational signs to the area to help reduce disturbance and harassment of manatees in the area.

Learn about other FWC-led Manatee Habitat Projects here.