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Legal protection
By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 11, 2002
West Indian manatees in the United States are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. West Indian manatees are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states: "It is unlawful for any person at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass or disturb any manatee." Anyone convicted of violating Florida's state law faces a possible maximum fine of $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 60 days. Conviction on the federal level is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or one year in prison.
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