For Immediate Release: June 10, 2005

They’re being used more and more on the waterways by concerned citizens – bright yellow banners from Save the Manatee Club, designed to make it quick and easy to communicate with approaching boaters whenever manatees are spotted in the area. The free waterproof banner which reads, “Please Slow: Manatees Below,” alerts boaters to the presence of manatees with the intent to slow boaters down to help prevent manatee injuries and deaths.

“The 4 th of July weekend is one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year, and the county waterways will be very active,” said Judith Vallee, Save the Manatee Club’s Executive Director. “Manatees face ever-increasing threats mostly from human activities, and the largest known cause of manatee mortality is from collisions with boats. Hopefully, people will watch out for manatees, and those who have the banners will use them to help slow down boat traffic if manatees are spotted.”

Those who plan to be out on the waterways this 4th of July weekend should follow some general guidelines to help protect these fascinating, endangered animals. Wear polarized sunglasses as they can help eliminate the glare of the sun and can help you see below the water’s surface. Stay in deep water channels and follow all posted boat speed regulations. Avoid boating over shallow vegetation beds where manatees might be feeding. Look for the manatee’s snout, back, tail, or flipper breaking the surface of the water; a swirl or a flat spot on the water signals a manatee may be swimming below. And if you see a manatee when operating a powerboat, remain a safe distance away – about 50 feet. If you want to observe the manatee, cut the motor, but don’t drift over the animal.

Also, if you spot an injured, dead, tagged or orphaned manatee, or if you see a manatee who is being harassed, call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on your cellular phone, or use VHFChannel 16 on your marine radio.

Florida boaters can request a free “Please Slow: Manatees Below” banner by contacting Save the Manatee Club via e-mail at education@savethemanatee.org, by regular mail at 500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751, or by calling toll free at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646). Just include your name, mailing and e-mail addresses, and the area where you boat in Florida. Also, if you are a Florida shoreline property owner, you can get a free aluminum sign for your dock which reads, “ Please Watch for Manatees: Operate With Care.” Be sure to include your name and mailing address and the address where the sign will be posted, if different.

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