Nobody wants to see the sea cow die out. So the state of Florida has created many laws to protect theses unique mammals that swim their coastlines. Florida manatees are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, The Endangered Species Act of 1973, which makes hunting, harassing, capturing, or killing a manatee illegal. 1978's Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act strengthens the previous acts (mentioned above) the US set. (2)
The Save The Manatee organization is a non-profit Florida-based organization that lobbies and creates places for manatees to live. It was founded by former Florida governor Bob Graham and singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffet. This organization saves manatees all around Florida and is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to manatees. (2)
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has created laws for boating and swimming in areas heavily populated by manatees. They have also created boat speed limits in other areas, and all boats in specific places must have a permit to operate. This saves many manatees each year. (5)
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Thats great that there is a group solely dedicated to helping the manatee! Is it dangerous to swim in an area that has manatees?
ReplyDeleteHow exactly does the Save The Manatee organization work? Where do they find the new areas and how do they transfer the manatees there? This sounds like a very interesting organization and more details would make a stronger blog entry.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there are a lot of laws and organizations that protect the manatee!
ReplyDeleteI'm just wondering, but is there a possible year that manatees may go extinct? I do believe this is a worthwhile organization. I think I've seen it advertised somewhere.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that they have created laws for boating and swimming. what are these laws?
ReplyDeleteHave these acts and laws done their job, have manatee numbers incresed since they were enacted?
ReplyDeleteHave other areas, with a large population of manatees, created organizations similar to the Save the Manatee organization in Florida? The organization seems like it really helps the manatees.
ReplyDeleteTo what kind of areas will the manatees be transferred to and how? Also I think it's great that the state of Florida is taking such a strong initiative in protecting the manatees and allowing them the chance to thrive.
ReplyDeleteI will answer everyones questions:
ReplyDeleteBekah: The problem with swimming near manatees is that they will swim away, they are mostly afraid of humans. The water is warm where they swim, and they will die if they are in the cold water.
Dr. Goetz: The Save The Manatee organization creates sanctuaries and leads populations (I don't know how they do that) to them. They also rescue and rehabilitate manatees, provide a helpline if a boater finds an injured manatee, and lobbies for new laws to help protect the manatee.
Kate: All these laws and regulations help the manatee. In fact the population is going up!
Alex: They are just laws banning swimming and boating in areas where manatees frequent. It helps to preserve the manatee's habitat.
ReplyDeleteEmere: The population has gone up in recent years because of these laws. These acts have done their jobs, but there are still problems, but hopefully we can help manatees more.
Marissa: There are other organizations for the manatee, but the Save the Manatee foundation is by far the biggest and most efficient. However, Florida is the only place with a large population of manatees. Individuals and other very small populations have been seen other places, so no other place has any specific Manatee organization.
Steph: They are somehow leading the manatees to places where there are no swimming and boating, and has warm water. This keeps manatees healthy while preserving their natural surroundings. Florida is really helping out the manatees.
But are these laws just like "Dont swim and boat!" or are there fines or some other type of punishment involved. Basically are there severe consqeunces
ReplyDeleteCould there be some way to keep a restricted area designated just for manatees to live? And I agree with Alex, I think there should be consequences or fines or something! It would probably prevent people from doing it now and in the future.
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