Manatees

Here are some links to fantastic photos, videos, and information about our gentle neighbors:

• Save The Manatee Club . . .
• US Fish and Wildlife Service . . .
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission . . .
• Great videos - scroll down to see the winner of the 2008 Our World Underwater Wetpixel/Divephotoguide Film Competition

Manatees are threatened. While I read conflicting reports on the their ability to survive the changes in their environment over the next few decades, Big D's will take a conservative, common sense approach to enjoying them on our trips. Here are some guidelines we will follow (adapted from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission):

• We will not harass the manatees. Harassment is defined as any activity which alters the animal's natural behavior.
• We will practice passive observation of these wonderful creatures. Becoming accustomed to people, may lead to changing their behavior in detrimental ways.
• We will not pursue or chase a manatee.
• We will not poke prod or stab a manatee.
• If a manatee avoids us, we will avoid it.
• We will give the manatee space to move and not isolate any manatee from it’s group.
• We will not stop our kayaks over still manatees.
• We will avoid excessive noise or splashing.
• We will stay at the surface to passively observe.
• We will not enter areas marked as "NO Entry - Manatee Refuge."