Manatee Watch Education Program

 Tampa Bay Manatee Watch is a nongovernmental organization that educates the

public about boating with manatees. Their goal is to reduce watercraft-related mortality

and impacts to manatee habitat in Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay Manatee Watch targets

boaters in Tampa Bay by directly intervening on the water and on boat ramps. This

program is unusual in that it focuses its educational message directly at one of the

sources of manatee mortality: boaters. Approximately 2 to 3 volunteers for Manatee

Watch distribute boater's kits to boaters on the water. The strategy of the outreach vessel

is to patrol waterways that are designated slow speed zones where manatees might be

present. Volunteers also distribute kits at boat ramps. The boater's kits include

waterproof charts of the local area, polarized sunglasses, fish-measuring stickers, and

floating key chains. These are illustrated with data and recommendations about boating

safely with manatees, including speed zone information and advice on avoiding

manatees. These kits are designed to give the boaters things they can use while boating,

and provide an educational message as well.

 The waterproof chart shows where manatee habitat is located and suggests

voluntary speed zones of 5mph in areas where manatees are found. Information on the

chart asks boaters to voluntarily boat slowly in less than 6 feet of water. The map

explains the meaning of different regulatory signs and the different speed zones.

Manatee protection tips include wearing polarized sunglasses, staying in deep water

channels, and obeying posted signs. Boaters are given information on how to look for

manatees in the water (e.g., a snout sticking up, expanding circles in the water, and a

swirl or a smooth spot in the water). Advice on what to do if the boat runs aground is also

given on this chart. This includes turning the motor off, tilting the motor up, and push