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Introduction  Article 1: First Encounter Article 2: Endangered
Article 3: Protection Conclusion: Preservation
 The Florida Manatee has been protected for over 100 years since the passage of the first manatee law in 1893. 1972's Marine Mammal Protection Act and the 1973 Endangered Species Act also provided laws for preservation of this species. The 1978 Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act declared the entire state of Florida a refuge which facilitated the establishment of designated sanctuary areas and boating speed zones. Management and protection of Florida's manatee population is a multifaceted endeavor. Many government agencies, research institutions, and civilian organizations are involved in the establishment, implementation, education, and enforcement of manatee regulations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) manages the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWR) which includes critical manatee habitats within the Crystal River Refuge and the Chassahowitzka Refuge. The USFWS monitors the health of vegetation upon which manatees feed, conducts aerial surveys to determine manatee population, establishes seasonal manatee sanctuaries, and manages public access to the refuges.
Counties with manatee populations are mandated to develop county-specific manatee protection plans. Water quality is monitored by the Department of Environment. The Florida Marine Research Institute collects medical data and determines causes of death as well as studying the effects of all human activities as they relate to manatees and other marine mammals. The Sirenia Project of the United States Geological Survey conducts research, maintains a photo identification catalog, and provides satellite imaging. Law enforcement comes from the USFWS, the Florida Marine Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and county sheriffs' departments. Volunteer organizations such as Friends of the Chassahowitzka and Save The Manatee provide much-needed support in the form of educational programs as well as manatee monitoring and rescue assistance. With so many involved, one would think that the possible extinction of the Florida Manatees was little cause for concern. However, these dedicated people and their mission to save the manatees are almost overwhelmed by the onslaught of threats.
While manatees die for a variety of reasons including outbreaks of red tide, entanglement in fishing lines and traps, crushing or drowning in locks and dams, unusual cold spells; clearly the greatest threat is collision with watercraft. From November 15 through March 31 sanctuaries and boating speed zones are designated within the Crystal River NWR. During the period of April 1 through August 31 the Chassahowitzka NWR sets boating speed regulations upon its rivers. Other manatee traveled waterways throughout the state are also posted as idle and slow speed zones during certain times of the year.
The boating industry's lobbyists, ironically known as the Manatee Task Force, suggest the Florida Manatee be removed from the endangered species list. Their argument is that population counts show an increase; however, those involved in protecting the manatee are adamant that the small increases are a result of improved counting methods, and they re-emphasize the increasing number of boating-related manatee deaths compared to their slow reproductive rates.
Enforcing manatee protection laws is daunting. Budget constraints, lack of manpower, the vastness of the areas to be covered, the overwhelming numbers of boaters and other refuge users make catching violators often a matter of happenstance. Surveys of boaters in some manate inhabited waterways demonstrated a mere 40-60% compliance with speed limits. There is one full-time USFWS law enforcement officer to patrol both the Chassahowitzka and Crystal River Refuges totaling 31,046 acres and covering over 100 miles of coastline.
Approximately 40 volunteers assist in the Crystal River Refuge. On their own time, using their own watercraft, they act as observers on the waterways. Their presence deters some violators, however, they have no enforcement powers and little means to call for help when they witness violations.
My final morning in Crystal River, thinking I would swim some distance away and observe others' reactions to a group of manatees, I once again felt a presence in the water. She swam within 3 feet and hovered next to me for over 2 hours. She was a very large female, older, bearing the scars, healing wounds, and flayed tail from encounters with boats over her many years. She let me touch her only briefly. She had milk, but she did not leave to feed a hidden calf. She seemed distant and I was left to wonder; was her calf one of the dead calves found the previous day?
They cannot speak for themselves, these wonderful yet endangered beings. They cannot influence their own destiny. We must share the waterways and provide safe passage; keep our life-sustaining waters unpolluted; and control our greed.
What legacy will we leave; a legacy of superficial possessions, faster boats, larger waterfront homes beside a sea with no life? Or will we leave a world of magical creatures whose presence enhances and mystifies our own being? We must speak for the manatees. There are so few and they have no voice.
© Becky A. Dayhuff 2000
Introduction Article 1: First Encounter Article 2: Endangered
Article 3: Protection Conclusion: Preservation
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