Chapter II — Species of Special Concern 



Figure 1 1 . Manatee with healed propeller wounds. 



and cabinet, which called on state and local govern- 

 ments to develop countywide boat speed regulations in 

 13 counties where watercraft-related deaths were most 

 likely to occur. To do so, managers examined site- 

 specific data on manatee habitat-use patterns and 

 vessel traffic, and then evaluated and selected among 

 various regulatory strategies, such as channel-inclu- 

 sive, channel-exempt, or shoreline-only speed zones 

 with differing speed limits; high-speed water sports 

 zones; and in a few cases at major manatee aggrega- 

 tion sites, no-entry areas. 



Rulemaking, which has advanced on a county-by- 

 county basis, has required a lengthy process of 

 negotiations, public review, and in many cases formal 

 rule challenges. However, since 1989 countywide 

 rules have been developed, adopted, and in some 

 cases amended for 12 of the 13 counties. Rules for 

 the last of the 13 counties, Lee County in southwest- 

 ern Florida, have been subject to protracted negotia- 

 tions, local and industry opposition, and several rule 

 challenges, including two filed in September 1998. 



Although rules are now in place for 12 counties, it 

 is still too soon to assess their effectiveness in most 

 areas because, in most cases, enforcement efforts have 

 been limited and levels of boater compliance are 

 unknown. In part, enforcement has evolved slowly 

 because of the time required to resolve rule challeng- 

 es, post regulatory signs, and allow boaters as well as 

 enforcement agents to become familiar with the new 

 rules. However, in one area. Crystal River, where 

 boat speed rules have been in place, posted, and 



enforced for several years by the Florida Marine 

 Patrol, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Coast 

 Guard, levels of compliance have been high and 

 vessel-related manatee mortality has been very low 

 considering the number of manatees and boat traffic. 

 With regulations now established and posted in 12 

 counties, success in reducing vessel-related manatee 

 mortality likely will rest on the success of efforts to 

 ensure compliance with those rules. In this context, 

 enforcement must be viewed as one of the highest 

 priorities for the manatee recovery program. 



The Florida Marine Patrol and the Florida Game 

 and Freshwater Fish Commission have been the 

 principal agencies enforcing new boat speed rules; 

 however, in the past two years the Fish and Wildlife 

 Service and the Coast Guard have taken steps to 

 strengthen their enforcement efforts as well. In 1997 

 the Service designated a manatee law enforcement 

 coordinator and established a special task force of 

 Service enforcement officers to organize and carry out 

 focused law enforcement in cooperation with Florida 

 Marine Patrol, the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish 

 Commission, and local law officers. The task force's 

 initial efforts were carried out in late July and August 

 1997 in Brevard County, Florida, where watercraft- 

 related manatee mortality has consistently been among 

 the highest in the state. During the initiative, more 

 than 1,000 boats exceeding posted speeds were 

 stopped, and more than 300 citations carrying a fine 

 of $100 each were issued. Similar efforts were 

 organized in 1998. Most effort again focused in 

 Brevard County, but some effort also focused in 

 Volusia County. With available funding and person- 

 nel, the Service was able to dedicate four to five 

 officers to manatee enforcement during six summer 

 weekend and holiday periods in 1998. 



To further expand enforcement of manatee-related 

 boat speed rules, the Coast Guard also offered to 

 increase its efforts. After a series of meetings be- 

 tween representatives of the Service and Coast Guard 

 officials at Coast Guard headquarters and Coast Guard 

 stations throughout Florida, the Service assumed 

 responsibility for processing manatee-related citations, 

 and Coast Guard officers throughout Florida substan- 

 tially increased their enforcement of the new county 

 boat speed rules. In recognition of its particularly 

 strong enforcement presence in southeastern Florida, 



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