SEASONAL SPEED ZONE CHANGES IN LEE COUNTY

November 14, 2006
Contact: Officer Joanne Adams (863) 581-6990

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Lee County Marine Task Force officers will join forces this weekend to increase public awareness of the seasonal changes in Lee County’s manatee-protection speed zones.

Several areas throughout the county will experience changes in posted speed zones Nov. 15. Changes include reductions or increases in lawful boat speeds. All changes are reflected in the Lee County Boater’s Guide.

“Our combined efforts focus on educating the public to comply voluntarily with seasonal changes,” FWC Officer Joanne Adams said. “Our main objective is to protect manatees rather than issue citations to violators.”

She said the FWC would like to remind the public that as the weather becomes cooler; manatees will begin to seek refuge in areas of warmer water, such as the Orange River, Ten Mile Canal and Matlacha Isles.

Anyone who spots a struggling, beached or injured manatee should not try to assist the animal but should call the FWC hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922), Adams said.