Monday, June 23, 2025
#1 News Source in Sebastian, Florida
SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWSLETTER
Sebastian Daily
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
Sebastian Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home Sebastian Inlet Fishing Report and Tips​

FWC says “Go slow and look out below – manatees are on the move”

Sebastian Daily by Sebastian Daily
Mar 23, 2023 / 12:17 PM
A A
Florida Manatee

Florida Manatee

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

Sebastian boaters need to be aware that when traveling the waters in the Indian River Lagoon, go slow and look below for manatees. Spring is a particularly important season as the slow-moving mammals naturally disperse from their winter refuges, traveling to other parts of the state and beyond.

Manatees depend on water generally warmer than 68 degrees Fahrenheit to survive the winter, so in the fall, they travel to Florida springs, power plant discharges, and other warm-water sites. In the spring, as water temperatures rise, manatees gradually leave their winter habitats and are more likely to be found in rivers, canals, and nearshore waters. While manatees are large, they can be challenging to see in the water. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asked boaters to go slow and follow all manatee protection zones; wear polarized glasses and look out below while boating or using personal watercraft – a visible snout or large circles on the water are indicators that manatees are below the surface; and always give manatees space.

Waterway signs mark manatee protection zones, and maps of manatee protection zones are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee by clicking on “Data and Maps.” 

Seasonal Manatee Zones

From April 1 through Nov. 15, seasonal manatee zones require boaters to slow down in certain areas to prevent manatees from being injured or killed by motorboats or personal watercrafts. Boat strikes continue to be a major threat to Florida manatees. FWC law enforcement officers are on patrol in state waters to inform boaters of the seasonal manatee speed zones and take appropriate enforcement actions. Boaters are reminded to abide by the regulatory signs they see on the water. 

Manatees are a protected species and it is illegal to feed, harass or harm them. In addition, physically handling a distressed or stranded manatee can cause additional harm. Instead, report injured, distressed, sick or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) so trained responders can assist.

The FWC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continue to respond to the manatee Unusual Mortality Event along Florida’s Atlantic coast. The FWC and the Service take manatee conservation seriously by actively implementing science-based conservation measures that are making a difference for manatees and their habitat. 

What should you do if you see a manatee? The Viewing Guidelines page provides helpful tips on respectfully viewing manatees, additional guidelines for boat and personal watercraft operators, and information on what you can do to help these amazing aquatic mammals.

Are you interested in supporting the FWC’s manatee research, rescue and management efforts? You can purchase a Florida manatee license plate or donate $5 to receive a collectible FWC manatee decal. Both are available from your local Tax Collector’s office.

FEATURED EVENTS

To add your event, call 772-925-5221.
Jun 23
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Allen Wronko at Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

Jun 23
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Open Jam Night at Tiki Bar & Grill

Jun 24
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Kyle Kraft at Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

Jun 24
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Event Series

Trivia at Capt Hirams Resort (Ramp Lounge)

Jun 24
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Pints & Prose: A Night of Story Telling at Pareidolia Brewing Company

View Calendar
Previous Post

Tiki Bar & Grill unveils new mural complimenting Sebastian

Next Post

Boating Safety Training in Sebastian by the U.S. Coast Guard

Next Post
U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety (Credit: USCG)

Boating Safety Training in Sebastian by the U.S. Coast Guard

HOMETOWN NEWS

Sebastian Recycling Club Offers Scholarships for SRHS Graduates

4th Annual Pareidolia Open Golf Scramble 2025 Set for July 26

Indian River County School District Saves $1.2 Million Through Strategic Reorganization

Celebrate 40 Years of Treasure at Mel Fisher Days 2025!

Local Author and Psychic Medium Pam Morley Releases Debut Book

Pro Fishing Tips for Snook, Bluefish, and More Heating Up!

INFORMATION

  • About Us
  • Advertise Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Signup for Newsletter

CONTACT

Main Number:  772-925-5221.

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover Sebastian
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing Report
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.