Observer and Watch InformationMany state and federally issued permits require a protected marine animal watch program to help prevent injury or death of protected marine species from permitted in-water activities. A watch program typically involves observers that are experienced in observing the marine species expected to be present in the work location. These species include: manatees, marine turtles, dolphins and whales. The main purpose of a watch program is to advise personnel to cease operation of any in-water construction activity upon sighting a protected marine animal within 50 feet of the activity. This activity includes, but is not limited to, dredging and filling operations as well as the boating operations associated with this work, blasting, high speed boat racing and marine events with large numbers of boats. Observers should work in shifts in order to reduce fatigue and increase the likelihood that marine species will be sighted. Six hour shifts should be the maximum. Observers should be equipped with polarized sunglasses to aid in observation. While all personnel involved with in-water work are responsible for looking out for protected species, designated observers should not perform any other duties while observing Depending on the type of work and the location, some permits require state or federal verification of observer experience or the watch plan before work can be performed. Other permits require a dedicated observer but do not require a specific amount of experience. Observer approval for specific projectsThere is no FWC observer certification, training or approval program. Observers must be approved on a project - by - project basis. The amount of experience an observer is required to have for a specific project depends on the work being performed, its location, and possibly the time of year. If an experienced observer or watch program is required by permit, a request for approval must be submitted by writing a letter to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian Street, MS-6A, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, or emailed to ImperiledSpecies@myfwc.com This request for approval should include: Required Observer InformationThe required observer information (contact information, history of observer experience and training) must be submitted to FWC in order to determine whether or not an individual has sufficient experience to observe protected marine animals for a specific project. Contractors and subcontractors should submit the following observer information, when they submit their project-specific information: Submit the required observer information for specific individuals when requesting approval. Individual information should be submitted on the FWC Observer Approval Form (revised January 2008)  and emailed to the address above. Individuals with records on file with FWC do not need to resubmit their forms in the approval process, unless their experience has increased substantially or their contact information has changed. Observer LogsSome permits require that logs be maintained. All observers should maintain a daily log that details sightings, collisions, or injuries to protected marine animals, as well as project specific information such as work schedule, weather, work shut downs, observer shift changes, etc. A copy of these logs should be provided to FWC ISM on a monthly basis. Within 30 days following each dredging event, a final report summarizing all incidents and sightings from the daily logs, including some photographs of in-water work and animals seen, should be submitted to the FWC ISM at ImperiledSpecies@myfwc.com.
Click here to see an example of required information in a daily log. While the format of logs can vary from this example, the example provides the minimal information that is required. Manatee Observation VideoThis manatee observation video has been produced to discuss the basics of observing manatees, particularly while in-water work or other activities are being performed. It is highly recommended that all personnel associated with in-water work review this video, since all personnel are responsible for looking for protected marine species. It has been divided into the following chapters to reduce download time. Once one chapter has been viewed, continue to the next chapter. Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 |
The manatee observer video was produced by Diane Wilkins Productions | 
