The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has reminded boaters in Florida to navigate slowly and watch out for manatees as the animals move from their winter habitats this spring. Manatees typically overwinter in warm waters, such as Florida springs and power plant discharges, where temperatures stay above 68 degrees Fahrenheit. As warmer spring weather arrives, manatees begin to disperse into rivers, canals, and nearshore waters.
Spotting these slow-moving mammals in the water can be difficult, but with careful navigation, boaters and personal watercraft users can avoid incidents. Manatees can be more easily detected using polarized glasses, observing all manatee protection zones, and noticing telltale signs like visible snouts or “footprints”—large circles on the water’s surface that indicate manatees are below.
Boaters are required to comply with speed restrictions in seasonal manatee zones from April 1 through November 15. These restrictions help prevent injuries or fatalities among manatees caused by boat strikes. The FWC’s law enforcement officers are tasked with patrolling state waters to inform and enforce these zones. Manatee protection zones are marked with waterway signs, and maps of these zones are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee under the “Data and Maps” section.
FWC emphasizes that manatees are a protected species, making it illegal to feed, harass, or harm them. Attempting to physically handle a distressed or stranded manatee can escalate harm and may lead to serious injury. Instead, the public is encouraged to report any injured, distressed, orphaned, sick, or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), where trained responders are available to assist.
Resources and educational materials for boaters and the public on how to interact appropriately with manatees are accessible at MyFWC.com/Manatee. The website provides viewing guidelines and additional information on how to help these aquatic mammals.
To support the FWC’s efforts in manatee research, rescue, and management, individuals can purchase a Florida manatee license plate or donate $5 for an FWC manatee decal, available at local Tax Collector’s offices.
Spring is a period of high activity for many of Florida’s wildlife species. Additional information can be found at MyFWC.com/News under “Spring Wildlife News.”
