It’s Manatee Awareness month!

Manatees and a new team member during the Silver Springs Professional Dive Team work on the boats and shoot manatee on Sunday November 1, 2020. [Alan Youngblood/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

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Posted November 12, 2021 |

On Nov. 4, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminded the public via press release that November is Manatee Awareness month.

According to the press release, the month exists to remind people on the water to slow down and look out for migrating manatees at this time of the year. As water temperatures cool, manatees naturally migrate to warmer waters around the state.

“It remains critically important that people be aware of manatees while on the water as we continue to work with partners to monitor and respond to the ongoing mortality event along Florida’s east coast,” said Ron Mezich, Imperiled Species Management Section Leader.

“We are continuing to explore a variety of options to assist manatees,” he added, “and the goal for the FWC and our partners continues to be restoring the Indian River Lagoon to a healthy state. In the end, that is the solution that will benefit manatees and other wildlife.”

Resources for boaters, educators and other interested members of the public are available at MyFWC.com/Manatee. Report injured, distressed, sick or dead manatees to the FW’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404 – FWCC (3922) or by dialing #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone. Trained responders can assist.