News Release

"Operation Mermaid" will make a splash

January 10, 2007
To arrange media ride-alongs, contact: Officer Joanne Adams (863) 581-6990

More than 35 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies will hit the water with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for Operation Mermaid, Jan. 13-15, to remind boaters to slow down for migrating manatees.

The Lee County Marine Law Enforcement Task Force, along with agencies in Charlotte, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Brevard counties, will participate in the large-scale operation, which takes its name from the popular theory that ancient mariners who wrote about mermaids had actually spotted manatees.

"We patrol some of the most heavily traveled manatee zones in Florida, and this is the perfect time of year to remind boaters they share those waterways with Florida manatees," said Capt. Denis Grealish, FWC law enforcement supervisor for Lee and Charlotte counties. "Boaters should observe speed zones and stay on the lookout for telltale signs of manatees just under the water's surface."

During the winter months, manatees move through South and Southwest Florida's waterways in search of warm-water refuges. In mid-November, seasonal speed zones come into effect on many waterways to accommodate this migration.

Boaters should scan the water near or in front of the boat looking for swirls resembling large footprints, a repetitive line of half-moon swirls, a mud trail, a snout or a fluke (tail) breaking the water's surface.

To help manatees have a safe migration, boaters should stay in marked channels; wear polarized sunglasses to improve vision; obey posted boat speed zones; use poles, paddles or trolling motors when in close proximity to manatees; have someone help scan the water when under way; and realize that manatees often travel in groups or with their young, so if you spot one, look for more.

Visit our Manatee pages for more information about Florida manatees.