Defenders' Experts
Media Contacts
Please direct media inquiries to:
Take Action for Florida Manatees
Florida manatees need all the support they can get. Take a minute to educate yourself or to contact the Governor or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to tell them you oppose downlisting the manatees.
Simple Things You Can Do While Boating In Manatee Waters
- Always obey posted speed zone waterway signs but remember – manatees could be anywhere
- Always wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare for best visibility beneath the surface of the water
- Keep a look out for “signs” of manatees, such as a snout breaking the surface or swirl or flat spot in the water caused by a swimming manatee’s tail
- Stay in deep water channels and avoid boating over shallow seagrass beds where manatees may be feeding
Simple Things You Can Do While Viewing Manatees in the Wild
- Stay at the surface, at a distance, and never approach a resting or feeding manatee
- Stay out of posted manatee sanctuaries
- Never separate a mother and calf pair
- Do not touch, poke, ride, or chase manatees in the wild
- Use only snorkel gear in manatee habitat; SCUBA gear is noisy
Tell the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service That Manatees Should Not be Downlisted.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has completed its 5-year review of the status of the Florida manatee. However, the change in status is not yet finalized so it’s not too late to let the Service know that the threats to manatees are increasing and they should not downlist manatees until these threats are under control.
Comments can be emailed to the Service: Manatee@fws.gov
Read the Florida manatee 5-year review
Stop Manatee Harassment in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
The Crystal River Refuge was created to protect manatees. Unfortunately, tens
of thousands of people come to the refuge each winter season to swim with
manatees. Harassment of manatees at the refuge has reached epic proportions.
Help shape the new Refuge Management Plan by asking for an end to manatee
harassment in the refuge.
Learn about manatee viewing guidelines or watch this YouTube video showing manatee harrassment and what you can do to stop it.
|
|
