Free Consultation - Call Now:
Manatees are the State of Florida's official marine mammal and can live for over 60 years. Tragically, only about half of the wild manatees that reach adulthood survive into their twenties. Being hit by passing boats or personal watercraft is a major threat to manatees and the number one cause of human-related manatee deaths. Manatees can be injured or killed by being run over by boats and watercraft and being gashed by boat propellers.
In fact, the majority of the manatees you will see have noticeable scars on their backs or tails caused by boat propellers. Manatees can also get into serious trouble and even die if they become entangled in discarded plastics, monofilament line, rope, and other fishing gear.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Boater's Guide to Living with Florida Manatees offers the following tips for boaters to help protect manatees:
If you want to become involved in efforts to protect the Florida manatee, you may be interested in joining the Save the Manatee Club, an award-winning national nonprofit organization established in 1981 by renowned singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffett, and former U.S. Senator, Bob Graham. You can also support manatee research and conservation by purchasing "Save the Manatee" license plates for your vehicles. The attorneys at Heintz & Becker are posting this information on how boaters can protect our beloved manatees as a public service and ask all boaters to do their part to protect their safety.
Source(s): Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, "A boater's guide to living with Florida Manatees"
905 6th Avenue West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Phone: 941-748-2916
Fax: 941-746-4281
Map & Directions
Phone: 941-238-0093
Fax: 941-746-4281
Map & Directions