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Watch for Manatees over 4th of July
| Article published on Thursday, July 2, 2009 |
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| Manatees swim in the waters throughout the Tampa Bay area. Boaters are reminded to be extra cautious over the busy holiday weekend. |
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As area residents get fired up for Fourth of July celebrations, the Save the Manatee Club reminds the boating community to be extra cautious over the busy weekend.
“Watercraft-related mortality is an ongoing yet preventable cause of manatee injuries and deaths,” said Dr. Katie Tripp, director of science and conservation for the club.
“There were 42 confirmed watercraft-related manatee deaths through June 5, 2009, and there have been a total of 240 mortalities so far this year.” According to Tripp, these numbers represent the highest total mortality and second highest watercraft mortality documented during this time frame over the last five years. Historically, watercraft has been the leading known cause of manatee deaths.
“With the cooperation and vigilance of the boating community, we hope that manatees can be protected from further injury during the July 4th weekend and the remainder of the summer boating season,” Tripp said. “Boaters often travel in waterways shared with manatees so they play an important role in protecting this endangered marine mammal.”
Boaters should follow all posted boat speed regulations, slow down if manatees are in the area, and stay in deep water channels when possible.
Call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-3922, call #FWC or *FWC on a cellular phone or use VHF channel 16 on a marine radio to report:
• A manatee with a pink or red wound or with deep cuts – these are signs of a recent watercraft strike
• A manatee tilting to one side, unable to submerge, or having trouble breathing
• A manatee calf (less than 6 feet in length) by itself with no adults around for an extended period of time – manatee calves may remain dependent on their mother for up to two years. If the mother dies before the calf is weaned, or if the two are separated, there is a strong likelihood that a dependent calf will not survive alone.
• Anyone harassing a manatee
• Boaters speeding in a protected area
• A manatee entangled in monofilament line, crab trap lines, or other debris – do not attempt to remove debris. Debris may be embedded underneath the skin and only a trained veterinarian can adequately assess and treat the wound.
• A dead manatee – by doing a necropsy, scientists can often determine the cause of death and better understand the threats faced by manatees
• A manatee tagged with a radio or satellite transmitter – sightings of tagged manatees help provide researchers with information that can be used to protect manatees and their habitat. Do not attempt to remove the transmitter. These devices are designed with a safety mechanism to prevent manatee entanglement if the tag becomes caught or obstructs a manatee’s movement in any way.
Florida boaters can request a free, “Please Slow: Manatees Below” waterproof yellow banner by contacting Save the Manatee Club via e-mail at education@savethemanatee.org. The boater should include full mailing information along with the area where they boat in Florida.
For additional information, visit www.savethemanatee.org.
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Article published on Thursday, July 2, 2009
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