Manatee
Viewing Guidelines
Manatee dos and don'ts
The West Indian manatee is an endangered species and is protected by state and federal law. Please avoid harassing or disturbing manatees. Harassment is defined as any activity which alters the animal's natural behavior. By altering the manatee's natural behavior, you may create the likelihood of danger that is bad for the animal and against the law.
BEING NEAR MANATEES
- Look, but don't touch manatees. Also, don't feed manatees or give them water. If manatees become accustomed to being around people, they can alter their behavior in the wild, perhaps causing them to lose their natural fear of boats and humans, which may make them more susceptible to harm. Passive observation is the best way to interact with manatees and all wildlife.
- Do not pursue or chase a manatee if you see one while you are swimming, snorkeling, diving or operating a boat.
- Never poke, prod or stab a manatee with your hands, feet or any object.
- If a manatee avoids you, you should avoid it.
- Give manatees space to move. Don't isolate or single out an individual manatee from its group, and don't separate a cow and her calf.
- Keep hands and objects to yourself. Don't attempt to snag, hook, hold, grab, pinch or ride a manatee.
- Avoid excessive noise and splashing if a manatee appears in your swimming area.
- Use snorkel gear when attempting to watch manatees. The sound of bubbles from SCUBA gear may cause manatees to leave the area.
- Float at the surface of the water
to passively
observe the manatees. Remember, look, but don't touch.
|
|
DO
NOT ENTER
AREAS DESIGNATED AS "NO ENTRY MANATEE REFUGE" These areas have been identified by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as crucial for manatee survival. |
REMEMBER-
LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH.
INTERACTIONS WITH HUMANS MAY BE HAZARDOUS
TO THE MANATEE'S
WELL BEING.
If you are planning to operate a vessel,
please read our Information
for Boaters
Protection by law
The manatee is protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. the manatee is also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states: "It is unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee."
Anyone convicted of violating this state law faces a possible maximum fine of $500 and/or imprisonment for up to 60 days. Conviction on the federal level is punishable by fine of up to $50,000 and/or one year in prison. The State of Florida can pursue prosecution under federal law in circumstances of extreme harassment, resulting in the death or injury of a manatee.
