November is Manatee Awareness Month, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding everyone to be mindful of these gentle giants as they migrate to warmer waters for the winter.
As temperatures drop, manatees seek out warmer waters, such as springs and power plant discharge areas, to survive. These slow-moving creatures can be difficult to spot, making them vulnerable to boat strikes.
READ: Tropical Depression Eighteen Forms, Hurricane Warning Issued
Boaters and paddlers can help protect manatees by:
- Wearing polarized glasses: These help to reduce glare and improve visibility in the water.
- Slowing down: Reduce speed, especially in manatee zones.
- Following posted signs: Obey manatee protection zones and speed restrictions.
- Looking out below: Be aware of your surroundings and watch for manatees in the water.
Manatee Viewing Guidelines:
- Give them space: Do not approach or disturb manatees, especially at warm-water aggregation sites.
- Do not feed or harass them: It is illegal to feed, harass, or harm manatees.
READ: Two Miami-Dade Men Cited For Undersized Snapper In The Florida Keys
Report Sick or Injured Manatees:
If you see a manatee that appears to be sick, injured, or in distress, report it to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Support Manatee Conservation:
You can help support manatee conservation efforts by purchasing a Florida manatee license plate or donating to the FWC.
For more information about manatees and how to help protect them, visit MyFWC.com/Manatee.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.