Information for Boaters - Jet Propelled and Personal Watercraft

Causes of Manatee Deaths in Florida

Manatee fatalities and injuries occur on Florida's waterways. Manatees are impacted by the speed and impact of some personal watercraft users as well. Personal watercraft move at high velocities and, along with their passengers, weigh about 500 lbs. at a minimum. The faster a boat or PWC goes, the more force is applied to a "strike." For instance, the difference between the force of a strike at 30 miles an hour is exactly twice that of a strike at 15 miles an hour, all other factors being equal.

Even a small watercraft can impart considerable force
to an object that it strikes at a high velocity. As a result, manatees can be
killed or injured by personal watercraft.

If the watercraft happens to strike a manatee in the head as it is taking a breath, acute trauma may result and the animal may die immediately. A mid-body strike can even be fatal if ribs are broken or disarticulated. Their internal injuries can result in death from internal bleeding or infection.

How does PWC operation affect habitat?

In regard to ecosystem protection, personal watercraft are responsible for increasing water turbidity in areas where they are operated frequently, for blasting out holes in seagrass systems, and for disturbing manatees in prime habitat areas. As a personal watercraft operator, you should not be under the illusion that you are operating an innocuous watercraft.

What Can You Do?

According to the brochure published by the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, "An Environmental Guide for Personal Watercraft User," here are some common sense ways to preserve our natural resources:

Refueling Guidelines - Don't Over-fill and Spill

• Refuel on land to reduce any chances of spilling oil or gas into the water.

• Slow down when filling the tank, don't over-fill, catch any accidental spills with an absorbent pad, and dispose of it properly.

• Check and clean your engine well away from shorelines. Water and oil don't mix and can harm the water's delicate micro-organisms as well as the animals who feed on them, potentially upsetting the entire food chain.

Don't Rev it Up

• In shallow waters, boats may stir up the bottom, suspending sediments that limit light penetration and deplete oxygen. This can affect fish and bird feeding. To avoid this effect, ride in main channels, and limit riding in shallow water.

• When it is necessary to ride in shallow water keep watercraft at an idle speed.

• In coastal areas be aware of low tide, the waters may be substantially more shallow at these times revealing sea grass beds and other delicate vegetation. Disturbance of these areas by watercraft and other boats can cause erosion as well as long-lasting damage to vegetation.

• Vegetation such as sea grasses are delicate nursery grounds where many of the fish in our waters originate.

• Weeds, grasses and other plant life are not good for your PWC. Ingestion of these into your craft may cause engine or pump problems, and reduce performance. Stay away!

• When possible, operate well away from shore because, typically, wildlife inhabits the vegetation along the shore's edge. The least amount of disturbance is in the marked channels or the deeper areas of a lake or river. If at all possible, stay in main channels.
  
  

Respect the Local Residents

• Be aware that the noise and movements of boats may disturb bird populations. Steer clear of posted bird nesting areas.

• Many migratory birds are easily stressed and especially vulnerable during their migration period. Birds will typically fly away from disturbing noises and any unnecessary expenditure of energy can harm a feeding or resting bird.

• Bird rookeries are especially vulnerable to noise from boats, including personal watercraft. Nesting birds may fly from the nest exposing unprotected eggs and hatchlings to the sun's heart or predators.

• Do not harass wildlife by chasing or interrupting feeding, nesting or resting. Harassment is defined as any action that may cause an animal to deviate from its normal behavior. It is illegal and can unduly stress wildlife.

• Mammals such as manatees and whales can be injured from direct impact by boats traveling at high speeds. Ride at controlled speeds so you can see any animals ahead of you. Avoid areas of high animal population. If you hit an animal report it to your local wildlife commission. There may be a chance to save its life. Remember to call the FWC Marine Enforcement 1-888-404-FWCC.

No Wakes Near Shore

• Excessive boat wakes may contribute to shoreline erosion, especially in narrow streams and inlets.

• Erosion is a concern for all shorelines including rivers, lakes, and oceans. The slow destruction of shorelines affects the habitats of plants and animals. Near the shore avoid high speeds which create wakes and observe posted no wake zones.

Wash Your Watercraft

• Wash your boat off after you use it to prevent the spread of exotic plants to other lakes and rivers. Exotics are plants and animals that are non-native to a specific area. Exotics have no natural enemies and spread easily, taking over an area to the exclusion of native species, thus decreasing important plant and animal diversity.

Watch Where You Stop

• When docking or beaching, look for evidence for turtles, birds, alligators, and other animals along shore.

• Avoid docking or beaching where plants such as reeds, grasses and mangroves are located. These plants are essential to the ecosystem because they control erosion and provide a nursery ground for small animals vital to the food chain, such as crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.

Endangered Species

• Many species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was created to protect these animals. It is illegal to trade, kill, hunt, collect, harass, harm, pursue, shoot, trap, wound or capture species designated as endangered, or in danger of extinction, such as threatened, rare, and species of concern. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for listing the hundreds of species in decline.

• Be aware of the endangered species that are found in your riding area where a safe haven protects them from human development, and they are allowed to survive and flourish.

Special Habitats

• Mangroves are a distinctive type of tree that have adapted to living in or near saltwater. Three are four types of trees, two of which are threatened with extinction. Many shore birds such as pelicans and roseate spoonbills nest in mangrove forests and islands. Mangroves shelter other marine life, control erosion and filter runoff. They also build up the shoreline and serve as a buffer that protects the land from storms and winds.

• Don't operate in unmarked mangrove channels, you're disturbing mangroves, birds and other animals that reside in this area.

• Coral is a living organism that provides a safe haven for hundreds of marine creatures. This firm, yet fragile species is vulnerable to the effects of human intrusion.

• If you are riding near coral, do not use an anchor, and be careful when diving to avoid coming in contact with these delicate organisms.

Marine Plant Life

• Sea grasses are nursery grounds normally found in protected waters called estuaries where fresh water and salt water meet. Most of the world's fish have their beginnings in estuaries and their associated sea grass habitat. Sea grasses are very delicate and their destruction can lead to degradation of the entire marine cycle.

• As a responsible PWC operator, stay away from these environmentally sensitive areas.

You Can Make a Difference!

• We all have a duty to the next generation to protect our bountiful natural resources.

• Take a moment to learn what the environmental concerns are in your riding area.

• If you're interested in serving wildlife while riding, keep an idle speed to reduce wake, noise and turbidity (stirring up the bottom).

• Know your riding area for the safety of the environment, for your own protection, and for your personal watercraft's protection.

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