AGENCIES ANNOUNCE JOINT EFFORT TO PROTECT MANATEES, ENCOURAGE BOATING SAFETY

March 11, 2005
CONTACT: Gary Morse (863) 648-3200
Lt. Douglas Berryman (239) 332-6971

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) today announced a joint federal, state and local manatee protection effort in south Florida identified as “Operation Manatee Shield”. There are 33 additional local law enforcement agencies directly involved in the enforcement effort. Aircraft and a variety of waterborne patrol vessels including airboats and jet skis will be used during the operation.

In Lee County there will be a six-day multi-agency enforcement effort beginning March 16, 2005. Operation Manatee Shield kicks off in conjunction with seasonal speed zone changes that occur annually in March and April. As local waters begin to warm along both coasts, manatees begin to migrate in large numbers from wintering areas in natural warm water springs and warm water discharges at power plants. These migrations occur most notably from Brevard County on the east coast, south to the Florida Keys and northward to Sarasota County on the west coast. The joint force will focus its attentions on the southern half of the state because of migration patterns and cumulatively, it’s where 10 of the 14 manatees lost to boat strikes have occurred since January 1, 2005.

Locally, members of the Lee County Marine Law Enforcement Task Force that include the FWC, USCG - Ft. Myers Station, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Lee County Sheriff’s Department, Cape Coral Police Department, Ft. Myers Police Department, and the Sanibel Police Department, will join together in the enforcement of manatee protection zones and boating safety laws.

“Joint enforcement efforts like Operation Manatee Shield, are designed to muster the various resources of all agencies in an efficient manner that gives a blanket level of protection to this endangered species,” said USFWS Supervisory Special Agent Frank Kuncir.

Kuncir also pointed out that manatee protection areas and speed zones are identified by white signs or buoys with International Orange borders and legal requirements within. Boaters are reminded that federal and state boating regulations require them to maintain a proper lookout for regulatory markers, navigational aides and other boaters as well as comply with regulatory signs.

Law enforcement agencies will saturate local waters and identify those who fail to heed the required speed restrictions during seasonal movements of manatees up and down the Intracoastal Waterway. Boaters will be reminded of legal obligations to comply with “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake”, “Idle Speed” and “No Wake” requirements within posted zones established by state, federal and local regulations.

“We encourage boaters to be vigilant and watch for signs delineating areas established by law for the protection of manatees. We will continue to remain diligent as the state’s guardians for these marine mammals and take whatever actions are necessary for their protection.” said Colonel Julie Jones, Chief of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement.

Law enforcement teams will also emphasize boating safety regulations including the accessibility of personnel flotation devices required for every occupant on board, properly charged fire extinguishers and all other required safety equipment.

Maps and text descriptions of manatee protection zones and boating safety zones are obtainable at MyFWC.com from the FWC as well as through Lee County boater’s guides available at Lee-county.com/naturalresources/guide.htm or through county tax collector offices and marine supply outlets. Boaters should check all the information from federal, state and local sources to insure their awareness of all federal, state and local speed regulations where they boat.

Agency representatives noted that additional similar task force initiatives to Operation Manatee Shield will be slated statewide during the summer and again in the fall when manatees reverse their migration to wintering sites in the 13 counties where state regulations have been adopted, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act.

A list of required boating safety equipment for vessels can be found by contacting any FWC regional office, which can be located by checking the state government listing in the front of your local telephone directory or by contacting any USCG Station, Auxiliary Squadron or Flotilla.

For more information on legal protection for this endangered species, visit the USFWS Web site or contact their Vero Beach Office of Ecological Services at (772) 561-3909, or the agency’s Office of Law Enforcement at (352) 241-6415. Additional information may also be obtained by contacting the FWC’s southwest regional office at (863) 648-3200 or by visiting the FWC’s Web site at MyFWC.com.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES: Ride-A-Longs with FWC Law Enforcement Officers will be available to the media on Thursday, March 17, 2005 for OPERATION MANATEE SHIELD. To make arrangements call Lt. Douglas Berryman at (239) 332-6971 or Gary Morse at (863) 648-3200.

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