Manatee Awareness Month: Watch for manatees on the move to warm winter waters
Mamatee photos courtesy of FWC.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
During Manatee Awareness Month in November, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding people on Florida's waterways to slow down and look out for manatees which are migrating to warmer waters as water temperatures are cooling.
Those on watercrafts are reminded to operate their vehicles slowly, and to look around and below to allow the manatees to swim safely. While manatees are large, they can be difficult to see in the water. That is why it is important to:
• Follow guidelines in manatee protection zones (SLOW DOWN).
• Be alert while boating and watch for large circles in the water which indicates that a manatee is below the water's surface (see center photo above).
• Wear polarized glasses to more easily spot manatees in the water.
• Always give manatees space.
Manatee protection zones are marked by waterway signs. Maps of manatee protection zones are available here: myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/manatee/data-and-maps.
Manatees depend on water that is generally warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit, to survive the winter, so in the fall, they travel to Florida springs, power plant discharges and other warm-water sites. Remember that disturbing manatees at warm-water sites can cause them to swim out of those protected areas and into cold water - which is potentially life-threatening for them.
During the colder months, seasonal manatee zones require boaters to slow down in certain areas to prevent manatees from being injured or killed by motorboats or personal watercrafts. Boat strikes continue to be a major threat to Florida manatees. FWC law enforcement officers are on patrol in state waters to inform boaters of the seasonal manatee speed zones and take appropriate enforcement actions. Boaters are reminded to abide by the regulatory signs they see on the water.
Physically handling a distressed or stranded manatee might cause more harm. Instead, report injured, distressed, sick or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or dialing #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone so trained responders can assist.
The FWC continues to investigate a high level of manatee mortalities and respond to manatee rescues along the Atlantic coast of Florida. The FWC takes manatee conservation seriously by actively implementing science-based conservation measures that are making a difference for manatees and habitat. Learn more about how officials are responding to this event by visiting myfwc.com/research/manatee/rescue-mortality-response/ume.
“It remains critically important people be aware of manatees while on the water as we continue to work with partners to monitor and respond to the ongoing mortality event along Florida’s east coast,” said Ron Mezich, Imperiled Species Management Section Leader. "We are continuing to explore a variety of options to assist manatees and the goal for the FWC and our partners continues to be restoring the Indian River Lagoon to a healthy state. In the end, that is the solution that will benefit manatees and other wildlife.”
Other information is available here: MyFWC.com/Manatee.
Helpful tips on respectfully viewing manatees, guidelines for boat and personal watercraft operators, and information on what you can do to help these amazing aquatic mammals can be found here: myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/viewing-guidelines.
To support the FWC’s manatee research, rescue and management efforts, you can purchase a Florida manatee license plate, or donate $5 to receive a collectable FWC manatee decal. Both are available from your local Tax Collector’s office. For additional information, visit
myfwc.com/research/manatee/trust-fund/license-plate or myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/manatee/decals.
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