Manatee Enhanced Patrol Program

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

The Palm Beach County (PBC) Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) has implemented a state-approved plan to protect the Florida manatee, a large, aquatic mammal found in Florida’s coastal waters. Ongoing efforts include collaboration with law enforcement to increase patrols in manatee protection speed zones which provide safe havens for manatees as they traverse county waters in search of food and warm water. Since the program was initiated in 2008, officers from ten law enforcement agencies have logged 7,190 hours in addition to their regular patrols, made 10,259 educational contacts, and issued 691 manatee zone citations. The increased law enforcement presence improves speed zone compliance reducing risks to manatees and boaters. This collaboration also provides an opportunity to train officers to assist the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) with the rescue of manatees injured by boats or that are in distress due to cold temperatures, illness, or disease. ERM, in cooperation with the Marine Animal Rescue Society (MARS), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and FWC, organized workshops to train marine officers and other first responders to become active participants the program. Since the manatee rescue component was initiated in 2009, local law enforcement has provided critical assistance to FWC at a time when funding for trained rescuers has been cut back.