FWC Home : Wildlife & Habitats :  Florida Manatee

 Florida Manatee Program

The Florida manatee is a native species found in all parts of the State. Protections for Florida manatees were first enacted in 1893.  Today, they are protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act (§379.2431(2), Florida Statutes) and are federally protected by both the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act.

FWC helps to protect and conserve manatees and their habitat through:

• the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation
  - Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM) and
  - Aquatic Habitat Conservation & Restoration Section

• the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI),

• and the the Division of Law Enforcement (LE)

Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM)

FWC - Imperiled Species Management Section (ISM) staff conduct reviews of Manatee Protection Plans, environmental resource permits, and other types of planning documents such as comprehensive plans.

FWC-ISM staff also oversee the process of promulgating manatee protection boat speed and access rules and administer activities related to these zones, including permit and variance reviews.  Staff evaluate data and develop proposed rules for consideration by the Commission.

• Species Listing Process  Q & A

• Current Manatee Listing Status

Headlines

• FWC proposes amendments to the manatee protection rule for Sarasota County 2/10

• Manatee Management Plan (2.2Mb)

  Staff from the Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Office of General Counsel, Division of Law Enforcement (LE), and Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) participated as members of the Manatee Management Plan Team charged with drafting Florida’s first Manatee Management Plan. Drafts of the plan were revised based on extensive public comment received during two open public comment periods.  The Commission approved the plan in December 2007.

Links

USFWS North Florida Field Office	Manatee Related Links	Sirenia Project

To report an injured, dead, harassed or orphaned Manatee
Call:  1-888-404-FWCC (3922)
Cellular phone *FWC or #FWC

Available Now
2009-2010 Decal: ~Manatees~ Rescue Me!