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Manatee zones effective Monday

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STAFF REPORT

Published: November 13, 2009

TAMPA - With cool weathers headed into Central Florida, boaters need to take extra precautions to avoid collisions with manatees.

The Tampa Bay Manatee Awareness Coalition is reminding boaters that several slow speed zones go into effect on Sunday to protect endangered manatees that will be gathering near power plants for winter.

Based on past aerial surveys, as many as 350 sea cows are expected to spend all or part of the winter months in Tampa Bay and its tributaries. When water temperatures plunge below 68 degrees, the majority of the manatees will congregate near the Tampa Electric Company's Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach.

Seventeen manatees have been killed this year by watercrafts in Hillsborough County. That is nearly double the deaths logged for all of 2007 and 2008, according to the coalition.

Manatees are most in danger of being hit by boats when water is less than six feet deep and sea grass - a staple in the manatee's diet - is present. The shallow flats are popular with anglers, too. So, going slow not only enhances fishing opportunities, but protects manatees, according to the coalition.

Slow speed zones and exclusion zones will be in effect through March 31.

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