Anchor: Corey Lazar
•6/29/2026
MATLACHA, Fla. (WINK) — A Matlacha business owner is raising concerns about the lack of warning signs for manatees in the busy waterways around Matlacha Pass.
Michael Shevlin brought his concern to WINK News, highlighting how the waters near his dock serve as a major channel for both marine life and boat traffic. The area sees heavy use from fishing, boating and wildlife swimming through the pass, which connects to the Spreader Canal from Cape Coral.
"It's a really big manatee area, especially in the winter time, and I have literally seen pods and pods of manatees just coming out here, and maybe 10 15, at a time, and pods of them," Shevlin said.
Boat propellers pose a significant threat to manatees using the same waterway. Shevlin explained that without knowledge of what a manatee wake looks like, boaters may not realize the animals are swimming beneath the surface.
"They're coming through here, and the boats, unless you really know what the Manatee Wake is when they're, when they're swimming, it, you don't know what's underwater, and the channel, while it's somewhat deep and these manatees can get can can get cut and die," Shevlin said.
No markers currently warn boaters about manatees in the channel. At the Matlacha boat ramp, signage about sawfish is present, but there are no manatee warnings.
"That's like a dolphin and a manatee freeway, and so it's going to be competing with boats, and it's going to be like, you know, Highway 41 if you're a raccoon, you know, you're going to get whacked eventually," Shevlin said.
Tiare Fridrich with Save the Manatee Club explained that certain areas pose higher risks for manatees. While adding signs may seem straightforward, the issue requires careful consideration of how manatees use these waterways.
"Manatees use the same waterways that we do to get around the state, and in some areas there are pinch points or locations where we know they spend a lot of time feeding, and these are areas where they're more likely to get struck and killed by a boat," Fridrich said.
"Remember that this is their home, they can't go anywhere else. We have the power to control our vessels and decide that we want to be more sustainable and care about the other wildlife that's in the water," Fridrich said.
A Lee County spokesperson told WINK News that signage in the water is regulated by state and local governments, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission usually taking the lead. Lee County Natural Resources is currently working on a project to get the Lee County Boater's Guide printed on signs for posting at some ramps, including Matlacha. These signs will include information on manatee protection.
"Clear knowledge for people that are new, or the people have three or four engines on the back of their boat, where the channel is, and, and to go slow, and, and to watch out for what's underwater," Shevlin said.
FWC told WINK News they continually collect data and monitor throughout the state to evaluate existing and potential new manatee protection zones.
Ownership of water markers may vary among several permit holders, including USFWS, FWC, individual counties, and local municipalities. USCG either owns or permits private ownership of channel markers (red and green). To report missing or damaged signs, or for more information regarding sign posting for manatee protection speed zones, contact the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement - Boating and Waterways Section at 1-866-405-BUOY (2869) or submit a report electronically: https://myfwc.com/boating/waterway/markers/damaged-or-missing/report-form/.
Regarding manatee protection zones:
Manatee protection zones may vary by season and location, requiring boaters and personal watercraft users to reduce speed in or avoid certain areas to prevent collisions that can injure or kill manatees. FWC law enforcement officers patrol state waters to inform boaters of seasonal manatee speed zones and take appropriate enforcement actions. Manatee protection zones are marked by waterway signs and maps of manatee protection zones are available online at MyFWC.com/Manatee by clicking on "Data and Maps."
FWC staff conduct data collection and monitoring throughout the state to evaluate existing and potential protection zones and countywide manatee protection plans. Manatee protection zonesare rules that are established by FWC to restrict the speed and operation of vessels where necessary to protect manatees from harmful collisions with vessels and from harassment. In areas that are especially important to manatees, the rules can prohibit or limit entry into an area as well as restrict what activities can be performed in the area. FWC is authorized to adopt these rules by the Manatee Sanctuary Act, 379.2431(2), Florida Statute. Local governments can also establish manatee protection zones through the adoption of a local ordinance. These zones must be approved by FWC before they can take effect, as required by Florida Statute. The initial step of identifying an area to be evaluated can be undertaken internally by FWC or can be done by someone outside of FWC by submitting a request.
Regarding signage at boat ramps/marinas:
Manatee educational signs are non-regulatory and informational in nature, unlike manatee speed zone (regulatory) signs seen in some waterways of Florida. Some manatee signs are posted permanently for educational purposes at boat facilities, while others are used temporarily while in-water work is being performed that might pose a risk to manatees. During the State permitting process, FWC makes recommendations to the State regulatory agencies regarding new or expanding boating facilities in areas of Florida where manatees are often seen. These facilities are required by State law to offset adverse impacts to manatees expected with increased boat traffic, and manatee awareness education is a common conservation measure typically required in State permits. Education is most often accomplished using manatee educational signs; however, some projects may require additional educational materials depending upon the size and location of the boating facility.
