Lee County commissioners plan more year-round slow-speed zones for manatees

Reporter: Taylor Wirtz Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
manatee
Manatees. Credit: WINK News

According to FWC, 997 manatees have died in Florida waterways, with 89 of those being from watercraft, from January 1 to November 5, 2021, which is why the Lee County Commission is going to try and protect them with year-round slow-speed zones.

So far this year, 589 manatees have not received a necropsy to determine the cause of death.

Captiva, Safety Harbor, and Boca Grande are areas where seasonal manatee protection zones currently exist. That’s where commissioners will look at making the zones year-round for the manatees’ safety.

Under state law, seasonal manatee speed zones expired Monday, the slower speed regulations having run from April 1 through Nov. 15.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission must approve the new county ordinance. Once FWC looks at the draft and approves it, the commissioners will then schedule a public hearing.

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