Labor Day boaters urged to be alert for manatees
The last long weekend of summer is almost here, and traditionally, that means a high level of boating activity on Florida’s waterways. With at least 60 manatee deaths from watercraft collisions this year through July 31 — including one reported near Boca Grande — the Save the Manatee Club strongly urges boaters to be extra cautious and watch out for endangered manatees over the busy Labor Day holiday.
At least 22 watercraft-related manatee deaths have occurred since the start of the summer boating season which began the Memorial Day weekend. These deaths are contributing to record-breaking manatee mortality figures for 2009.
Five of this summer’s watercraft fatalities occurred in Duval County, followed by three each in Lee and Pinellas counties, two each in Brevard and Hillsbor-ough counties and one each in Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Flagler, Indian River, St. Johns and Volusia counties.
The manatee death in Charlotte County was a male recovered May 26 in Lemon Bay. The Lee County manatee deaths were:
n June 8, female in Big Carlos Pass, Fort Myers Beach.
n June 14, female, Charlotte Harbor, Boca Grande.
n July 12, female, Charlotte Harbor, Bokeelia.
“The number of watercraft-related manatees deaths we are seeing in Duval County is unacceptable,” said Dr. Katie Tripp, director of Science and Conservation for Save the Manatee Club. “Even one watercraft death is senseless and preventable, but Duval County has had five this summer, and a total of seven watercraft deaths so far in 2009. These deaths demonstrate that Duval County’s Manatee Protection Plan (MPP) is failing to protect the county’s manatees. The county must take steps to keep additional manatees from being injured or killed by watercraft in Duval.”
Dr. Tripp explained that manatees can endure a variety of tragic injuries as a result of watercraft collisions. “These animals are often mutilated from propeller blades and blunt force trauma. Some manatees die almost instantly from their injuries, but others suffer for days or weeks. The saddest part of all is that their suffering is preventable.”
One of the summer’s watercraft deaths in Brevard County was a female manatee initially observed alive, but in distress in Melbourne’s Indian River. The female died before a rescue could take place and was found to be emaciated with extensive injuries that included a torn lung. Similarly, the death in St. Johns County was a rescued female manatee that had sustained a boat strike to the head and neck.
“It is our hope that if people truly understand what it means to ‘hit a manatee’ and how manatees needlessly suffer they will slow down on the waterways and always be on the lookout for them,” said Dr. Tripp.
To help safeguard manatees, boaters should follow all posted boat speed regulations, slow down if manatees are in the vicinity, and stay in deep water channels when possible.
The club reminded the public to report any instances when they believe they may have struck a manatee. A phone call to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-3922 could save a manatee’s life, or at the very least, help biologists learn more about vessel impacts so that manatees can be better protected in the future.
Florida shoreline property owners are also reminded to get a free aluminum dock sign from the Club which reads, “Please Watch for Manatees: Operate With Care” by contacting Save the Manatee Club via e-mail at education@savethemanatee.org or by calling toll free at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646). Include full mailing information.
For more information on manatees, the Adopt-A-Mana-tee program, or to sign up for the Club’s free e-newsletter, visit the club’s Web site at www.savethemanatee.org. Save the Manatee Club is now using Twitter. Join today at twitter.com/savethemanatee and start receiving the club’s tweets.
Source: Save the Manatee Club