S. Fla. Boaters Warned To Slow Down For Migrating Manatees
POMPANO BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — South Florida boaters are being reminded to slow down for migrating manatees.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said as the weather cools, manatees move to warmer waters such as freshwater springs or canals near power plant outflows. The warm waters around the power plant at Port Everglades is one of two Broward "hot spots" for manatees; the other is off the South Fork of the New River, south of I-595 and east of SR 441.
Manatees use the Intracoastal Waterway as the main north-south travel corridor to reach these refuges while manatees heading inland will also use the New River and South Fork New River.
Boaters are being asked to slow down and watch out for manatees as many of the seasonal manatee protection zones go into effect Thursday.
November is Manatee Awareness Month. The wildlife commission said n a statement that many manatees in Florida have scars from run-ins with boats. They're encouraging boaters to do their part by slowing down in seagrass beds and warm-water sites where the animals like to congregate.
Floridians can also support manatee conservation by purchasing the state's manatee license plate, which helps conservation and research efforts.
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