DATE: November 4, 2015
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 toward warm water refuges, and 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 last year's manatee season (November 15th - March 31st), staff from EPCRD counted over 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. Afterward, when the temperatures warm, they move into the surrounding canals and Intracoastal Waterway to forage, which increases the chance of manatee/boater interaction.
Boaters should be aware that many seasonal manatee protection zones go into effect on November 15th in Broward and throughout the state. For information about manatee protection zones by county, including the seasonal changes and speed zones, visit MyFWC.com/Manatee, and select "Data and Maps."
State-wide, 69 manatees were killed by boats in 2014 with two of those deaths occurring in Broward County. So far this year, 79 manatees have been killed by boats in Florida; one 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 them spot the creatures 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, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Wildlife Alert Number at (888) 404-FWCC (3922), *FWC or # FWC on a cell phone or with a text to tip@myfwc.com. It is very helpful to have the following information:
- What is the exact location of the animal?
- Is the manatee alive or dead?
- How long have you been observing the manatee?
- What is the approximate size of the manatee?
- 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.
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