Manatee Season Runs Through March 31

For release on: November 17, 2008
For more information: Alessandra Medri (561) 233-2512 Paul Davis (561) 233-2509

Manatee season begins November 15th and ends March 31st in Palm Beach County. Manatees are attracted by the warm weather in South Florida as water temperature drops in the north.  They seek out water above 68 degrees, congregating at natural springs and warm water discharges from power plants. 

The area near the FPL power plant at Riviera Beach hosts some of the highest numbers of manatees in the state during cold fronts.  Local “hot spots” where manatees congregate include Jupiter Sound, the C-18 Canal/Southwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River, Earman River, Central Lake Worth Lagoon, Lantana/Boynton area, Lake Wyman in Boca Raton.  Side canals along the Intracoastal Waterway may serve as secondary warm water refuges and also provide sources of freshwater.

The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and Palm Beach County’s largest estuary, the Lake Worth Lagoon, are the manatee’s version of I-95. Just as local motorists need to share the road with vacationers, local and visiting boaters need to share these waterways with manatees as they travel. 

The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) takes action year-round to help protect manatees. Efforts include a brochure with manatee speed zone maps, educational kiosks at boat ramps, habitat restoration and enhancement projects, and a new Law Enforcement Program to increase compliance with manatee speed zones countywide. 

The Manatee Protection Plan (MPP), approved by the Board of County Commissioners on August 21, 2007, provides annual funding in the amount of $200,000 for additional on-water law enforcement. These ad-valorem funds provide a mechanism that allows county marine units to work on manatee details specifically designed to increase patrolling in manatee speed zones.

During the 2007-2008 manatee season, nine law enforcement agencies participated in the new Law Enforcement Program:  Tequesta, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Lantana, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. All nine agencies with the addition of the Riviera Beach Police Department will participate in 2008-2009.

To request a free manatee brochure with manatee speed zone maps contact, Alyssa Dodd at 561-233-2448 or ADodd@co.palm-beach.fl.us.