The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that 77 manatees have been struck and killed by boats in Florida so far this year. In Southwest Florida alone, 13 of these incidents occurred, with most happening in Lee County. By comparison, at this time last year, there were about 61 deadly strikes.
On a busy day at the Horton Boat Ramp in Cape Coral, Anthony Badalucco, a former boater, shared his insights on encountering manatees while on the water.
"Every day when I was on the water, you'd see them… especially up in the flats around Pine Island Sound. But with this dark water and their dark skin, they blend in. If you're going too fast, there's no brakes on a boat," said Badalucco.
Scars on manatees' backs highlight the threat posed by boats. The FWC noted that nearly every adult manatee in Florida bears these scars from boat strikes. Boaters often don't see the manatees until it's too late.
"You gotta slow down. Manatees come up and feed in the canals — but I see people speeding in and out daily. If you're going 45 miles an hour, you're not going to see them. You're going to run them over," said Denny Gilmore, a Cape Coral resident.
At the Horton Boat Ramp, the FWC provides a map with tips on keeping manatees safe, such as wearing polarized sunglasses and watching for manatee zones. Experts say these measures can make a significant difference.
By August 2022, 50 manatees had died from boating strikes, and 69 more followed the year after. While cold stress and red tide also pose threats to these gentle giants, boating strikes are preventable.
"Obviously, manatees are the cutest little things in the world. I saw a release recently, and it was awesome — a whole team effort to give one a second chance. We need more of that," said Gilmore.
The FWC emphasized that more boaters on the water mean increased danger for manatees. With Labor Day approaching, they hope this information will help reduce this year's trend.
Vessel strikes are a significant concern during the spring and early fall in Florida. The Florida Manatee Program emphasizes ongoing monitoring rather than projections to understand and mitigate these incidents. This involves documenting manatee mortalities, collaborating with partners to pinpoint areas of concern, and implementing measures like speed zones and public outreach.
The program regularly shares information with boaters and personal watercraft users, especially during peak seasons when manatees are more mobile. These reminders include tips on how to operate safely and help keep manatees out of harm's way while on the water.
Boaters are encouraged to follow regulations posted on the water and familiarize themselves with manatee protection and boating safety zones. People can assist manatees by designating a lookout to watch for wildlife, wearing polarized glasses to spot manatees more easily, and adhering to all manatee protection zones.
Boaters should look for manatee snouts above the water or "manatee footprints," which are large circles on the water that indicate manatees are beneath the surface.
If an injured, orphaned, distressed, or dead manatee is spotted, individuals are urged to immediately call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). An updated list of 2025 manatee mortalities can be found here.