Manatee Season

Wildlife officers target manatee speed zones
By Dinah Voyles Pulver
For the Daytona Beach News-Journal
March 20, 2010

While state and federal officials warn boaters to be wary of manatees venturing out for food in area waterways this weekend, they'll be patrolling for boaters violating laws designed to protect the animals.

Marine officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plan a joint effort today and Sunday to enforce manatee speed zones on area waterways.

The effort is planned to coincide with a time of year when the animals are most vulnerable, the agencies said. With temperatures warming, manatees are moving north from South Florida and venturing farther afield in the St. Johns River from their warm-water refuge at Blue Spring State Park.

Boaters should wear polarized sunglasses and watch for large, tell-tale circular ripples manatees create in the water, said Chris Roszkowiak, a wildlife commission captain. Watercraft-related incidents account for up to 20 percent of the annual manatee deaths in Volusia and Flagler counties.

Manatee zone boundaries are marked by large posted signs and buoys, white with orange lettering. Boaters must follow federal and state rules.

Federal fines range up to $25,000 and can carry a sentence of up to six months in prison.

dinah.pulver @news-jrnl.com

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2010/03/20/wildlife-officers-target-manatee-speed-zones.html