In February, 57 manatees died across Lee County according to Florida Fish and Wildlife's Preliminary 2026 Manatee Mortality Table.
While many deaths were related to cold stress, some resulted from boating collisions.
These human-caused deaths can be prevented if boaters slow down and watch for manatees migrating.
"We already have trouble with people knowing the speed zones, because you don't have to have a license to have a boat in Florida, you just have to have money," said Keep It Wild Ranger Rob Howell. "Already people speed through because they don't understand what slow speed means, versus idle speed versus normal speed, they just don't understand what the differences are."
Boaters should be particularly cautious in shallow waters and areas where wildlife is common. According to Ranger Howell, boat crashes are a significant threat to manatees, second only to starvation.
In recent years, poor water quality and habitat damage have devastated 95% of Florida's seagrass population. Boats speeding through the water can damage seagrass beds, which take years to heal and regrow. Howell emphasized caution in the Caloosahatchee and Matlacha areas, which have manatee migration and missing signs.
"Some things have, I think, got lost through the cracks, and these signs, frankly, are one of those things, and I hope it's time to get them fixed, because manatee season is starting up, where they migrate, and they need all the help they can get," said Howell. "The second biggest killer for these guys is boat strikes."
After Hurricane Ian, many signs warning boaters to slow down were damaged and still need to be replaced. With manatee season underway, it's crucial for boaters to understand when and why to slow down as they watch for the gentle giants migrating.
