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Manatee Festival
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 10, 2003
While swimming with manatees, it is best to observe them from a distance.
Always move slowly and float on the surface of the water.
Do not dive down: You may be waking up a sleeping manatee.
Allow manatees to approach you and you may touch a manatee with one open hand.
Never chase, surround, poke or prod a manatee.
Be careful not to separate a calf from its mother.
Manatees are very curious animals and those that want to observe you will approach you.
Be cautious to avoid entering manatee sanctuaries. Those areas are set aside for manatees only.
Avoid excessive noise and splashing.
Use snorkel gear when attempting to watch manatees. The sound of scuba gear may cause them to leave the area.
-- Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
While boating, wear polarized sunglasses.
Look for manatee snout, back, tail or flippers in the water.
Don't discard trash in the water.
Stay in deep water channels and avoid running over seagrass beds.
Look but don't touch manatees.
Don't feed or provide water for manatees.
Watch for and follow the rules on posted speed zones and sanctuary signs.
-- Source: Save the Manatee Club