FWC Seeks Input On Manatee Zones

Submitted

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding a rule development workshop to gather additional public input on potential changes to the existing manatee protection zones in Collier County. The workshop will be held at 5:30 p.m. on July 14 at the Collier County Commission Chambers, 3299 Tamiami Trail E (third floor) in Naples.

The FWC has been working with a Local Rule Review Committee as well as Collier County and other local governments to review potential changes to the rule, which was last revised in 1997. The public workshop offers an opportunity for people to ask questions and provide information to FWC staff.

Information about the ongoing review is available at MyFWC.com/Manatee, then click

on Rulemaking. Maps and descriptions of the existing manatee protection zones are available by going to the manatee page and clicking on Data and Maps. The zones help reduce the risk of injuries to manatees from boats by requiring slower boat speeds in areas regularly used by manatees.

FWC staff will use input provided at this workshop to help develop recommendations for potential rule changes. Any potential changes will be considered by the FWC Commissioners at a future Commission meeting.

This activity is part of the statewide manatee management plan approved in 2007, which directs staff to periodically review existing manatee protection zones to see if changes are needed.

For more information, go to MyFWC.com/Manatee and click on Protection Zones.