DATE: November 3, 2016
MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Quinn
PHONE: 954-519-1218
EMAIL: pquinn@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - November 15th marks the beginning of manatee season. As air and water temperatures drop, manatees begin moving south for warmer water refuge, and slower seasonal speed limits go into effect. Broward County's Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division (EPCRD) cautions boaters to be on the lookout for greater numbers of manatees moving into the County's waterways. During the 2015 manatee season, staff from EPCRD counted more than 1,200 manatees in the County's waterways, which may represent 20 percent of the entire state population of manatees. When the weather is cold, the majority of manatees can be found in the warm-water refuges of the Lauderdale Power Plant cooling lakes and Port Everglades Power Plant cooling canal. When temperatures warm, manatees move into surrounding canals and the Intracoastal Waterway to forage, increasing the chance of manatee/boater interaction.
Boaters should be aware that many seasonal manatee protection zones go into effect throughout the state on November 15 and run thru March 31, 2017. For information about manatee protection zones by county, including seasonal changes, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website and click on "Data and Maps." At the bottom of the page there is information on FWC Manatee COLD-weather changes to speed zones.
Statewide, 86 manatees were killed by boats in 2015 with one of those deaths occurring in Broward County. From January through October 2016, 89 manatees have been killed by boats in Florida, two of those in Broward County.
Manatees can be difficult to see as they often swim and rest just below the water's surface. To avoid striking manatees, vessel operators should obey all posted speed limits, wear polarized sunglasses to help spot them in the water, and watch for the large, tell-tale circular slicks on the surface of the water (manatee "footprints") that indicate the presence of manatees.
If you see a sick, injured, or dead manatee, contact the FWC's Wildlife Alert Number at (888) 404-FWCC (3922), *FWC or # FWC on a cell phone, or text tip@myfwc.com. It is very helpful to have the following information:
- What is the exact location of the manatee?
- Is the manatee alive or dead?
- How long have you been observing it?
- What is the approximate size?
- What is the location of the closest public boat ramp to the manatee?
- Can you provide a contact number where you can be reached for further information?
Environmental Planning and Community Resilience
Broward County's Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division protects, restores and enhances the quality, abundance and diversity of the County's natural resources through coordinated management efforts in five areas: water resource policy and planning, urban and natural lands management, beach and marine resources, energy and sustainability, and environmental monitoring. For more information, call 954-519-1270, visit our website or follow us on Twitter.
|