Chapter II — Species of Special Concern 



While boat speed regulations being adopted by the 

 State afford a strong legal foundation for protecting 

 manatees, their effect cannot be realized until signs 

 are posted, enforcement efforts are implemented, and 

 vessel operators become accustomed to the new 

 restrictions. Logistic matters, including approving 

 sign placement locations and contracting for sign 

 installation, dictate at least some delay between the 

 date of rule adoption and the point at which enforce- 

 ment can begin. 



The two Florida inland navigation districts are 

 responsible for posting new manatee speed zones, 

 while enforcement duties fall primarily to the Florida 

 Marine Patrol. Substantial progress is being made in 

 posting newly regulated areas. More than 200 miles 

 of waterway were posted or approved for posting in 

 1991. However, all newly approved speed zones are 

 not yet fully posted and enforced. It will probably 

 take several years to develop, post, and enforce rules 

 for new manatee speed zones and to evaluate their 

 effectiveness in reducing vessel-related manatee 

 deaths. 



Manatee Sanctuaries — Perhaps the single most 

 important habitat for manatees in Florida is Kings Bay 

 at the head of Crystal River on the west coast of 

 Florida. The Bay is about one mile long and one half 

 to one mile wide. It is formed by the discharge of a 

 few large natural warm-water springs and many 

 smaller ones. In winter, more manatees depend on 

 the Bay's warm waters than any other natural warm- 

 water refuge in Florida. 



In recent years, peak winter manatee counts have 

 increased significantly, making Crystal River mana- 

 tees one of only two groups of animals in the State 

 known to be increasing in number. Whereas maxi- 

 mum counts early in the 1980s were about 100 

 animals, they are now about 300 animals. The 

 increase, which appears to be due to natural recruit- 

 ment, very high adult survival rates, and immigration 

 of animals from central and southwest Florida, 

 indicates the special importance and suitability of 

 habitat in and around Crystal River for manatees. 

 The Bay, also used regularly in summer by smaller 

 numbers of animals, is surrounded by residential and 

 commercial development. Its clear, warm waters and 



the presence of manatees have attracted large and 

 increasing numbers of recreational divers. 



In response to the increasing numbers of divers and 

 boaters and their potential to affect manatee use of 

 Kings Bay, the Fish and Wildlife Service established 

 three small manatee sanctuaries in parts of Kings Bay 

 in 1980. The three areas, which cover about five 

 acres combined, were designated using the Service's 

 authority under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 

 and Endangered Species Act (50 C.F.R. Part 17) to 

 establish "Manatee Sanctuaries" (i.e., areas in which 

 no waterbome activities are permitted) and "Manatee 

 Refuges" (i.e., areas in which specific waterbome 

 activities can be regulated). 



The three sanctuaries in Kings Bay are clearly 

 marked by ropes and buoys, and all waterbome 

 activities, including diving and boating, are prohibit- 

 ed. They offer havens where manatees can retreat to 

 avoid human disturbance. Manatees have leamed to 

 use these sanctuaries and their importance is apparent. 

 During periods when large numbers of divers are 

 present, manatees often concentrate within or close to 

 sanctuary boundaries. 



Since 1980, the number of divers and boaters, as 

 well as manatees, has increased significantly. As a 

 result, it is no longer clear whether the three sanctuar- 

 ies are providing adequate manatee protection. To 

 examine this issue, the Service provided support for 

 a study completed in 1990 to assess manatee habitat 

 use patterns in Kings Bay and the effects of human 

 activities on them. The report noted that the three 

 existing sanctuaries did not include significant feeding 

 areas and that additional sanctuaries in other parts of 

 the Bay appear warranted, given increasing numbers 

 of animals using the Bay, their distribution, and 

 human activity patterns. 



Based on the report and other information, the 

 Service proceeded to identify and assess additional 

 possible manatee sanctuaries in Kings Bay. On 21 

 March 1991, it convened a public meeting in Crystal 

 River to receive comments on several possible sites 

 under consideration. To provide manatees protection 

 during the coming winter when their use of the Bay 

 peaks, the Service promulgated emergency mles in 



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