Human-related factors which further jeopardize the 

 species' chance for survival in the southeastern United 

 States include: accidental death or serious injury resulting 

 from collisions with hulls or propellers of boats and barges; 

 entrapment in water level control gates and navigation 

 locks; entanglement in fishing gear; poaching; vandalism; 

 and loss of habitat due to coastal development. 



Despite the magnitude of problems facing the Florida 

 population of manatees, there was reason to be encouraged in 

 1982. The strong cooperative efforts among Federal and 

 state agencies, particularly the Fish and Wildlife Service 

 and the Florida Department of Natural Resources, as well as 

 the Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Game and Freshwater 

 Fish Commission, other agencies, and private groups continued 

 to increase and improve. Within the State, there were 

 intensified enforcement efforts, further protection of areas 

 of special biological significance, and continuing public 

 information and education programs. Of particular note 

 in the information and education area has been the work 

 of the Florida Power and Light Company, the Florida Audubon 

 Society, the Department of Natural Resources, and The Nature 

 Conservancy. 



Among the accomplishments of 1982 was the completion of 

 installation of a network of signs to alert boaters to the 

 presence of manatees and prescribe speed limits. This 

 project, a cooperative effort resulting from discussions 

 among the Commission, the Florida Department of Natural 

 Resources, and the Army Corps of Engineers, was first 

 agreed to in 1980 and initiated late in 1981 with additional 

 help from the Coast Guard. The beneficial effects have 

 been significant, particularly insofar as the increased 

 enforcement efforts have been well publicized and have led 

 to greater public awareness and support for manatee protection. 



Another encouraging sign was the State of Florida's 

 establishment of five new State manatee sanctuaries at 

 Turkey Creek, Loxahatchee, Port of the Islands, Venice, and 

 the Withlacoochee River, which took effect on 1 July 1982. 

 The State also announced its intention to revise its manatee 

 sanctuary rules to bring them into conformance with Federal 

 regulations under the Endangered Species Act. On 9 

 December 1982, the State's Environmental Regulation Commission 

 voted unanimously to include the Crystal River as an "Outstanding 

 Florida Water," thus providing an opportunity for further 

 protection of this important winter habitat for manatees. 



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