Manatees
|
We are very fortunate to be able to observe endangered manatees around the Belize City/St George's Caye area. This is one of the five strongholds for manatees in Belize. Manatees are also observed near Corozal Bay/New River, Gales Point Manatee/Southern Lagoon, Placencia/Monkey River and Punta Gorda.
In the Belize City area manatees regularly migrate from their foraging grounds - the undersea meadows of seagrass (turtle and manatee grass) that grows inside the barrier reef around the offshore cayes and patch reefs, to the Belize River to drink fresh water. Herein lies the greatest threats to manatees today. Their migration paths intersect the largest volume of boat traffic in Belize. The water taxis running between Belize City and Caye Caulker and San Pedro, and the tour boats carrying cruise passengers on a river tour to view the endangered manatee and other wildlife along the river including crocodiles, iguanas, birds and the occasional dolphin. |
There are known areas where manatees rest - like the mouth of the Belize River. Yet no protected area preserving this area for manatees has yet to become established.
Every Manatee Counts as there are reported to be less than 1000 in Belize, and after years of around 30-50 being killed each year, the total number is likely less.
How can you help? If you are traveling on a boat by the Belize River Mouth ensure you captain/guide respects a NO WAKE zone in this area. If you are traveling up the river, ensure a crew member watch from the bow of the boat for manatees in the path of the boat. If your boat HITS a MANATEE, be sure to contact Coastal Zone Management and report the strike. If the manatee was only injured, perhaps it can be located and rehabilitated. If it was a fatal blow, the manatee will float up within a couple days and will join the statistics of those 100s killed as the marine tourism industry continues to grow in Belize.
Every Manatees Counts - lets try to reduce the number of manatees killed by raising awareness to boat captains and visitors and locals driving their boats in one of the last strongholds for the endangered manatee in Belize.
Every Manatee Counts as there are reported to be less than 1000 in Belize, and after years of around 30-50 being killed each year, the total number is likely less.
How can you help? If you are traveling on a boat by the Belize River Mouth ensure you captain/guide respects a NO WAKE zone in this area. If you are traveling up the river, ensure a crew member watch from the bow of the boat for manatees in the path of the boat. If your boat HITS a MANATEE, be sure to contact Coastal Zone Management and report the strike. If the manatee was only injured, perhaps it can be located and rehabilitated. If it was a fatal blow, the manatee will float up within a couple days and will join the statistics of those 100s killed as the marine tourism industry continues to grow in Belize.
Every Manatees Counts - lets try to reduce the number of manatees killed by raising awareness to boat captains and visitors and locals driving their boats in one of the last strongholds for the endangered manatee in Belize.
In 2015 ECOMAR hosted a group from the New York Film Academy and one of the students was Andrew Linga, a very talented drone pilot and documentary producer. He now works for the LA Police, but are grateful he shared one of his productions on the serious issue facing manatees in the new millennia, in Belize, at the Belize River Mouth.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
LINKS
A boater’s guide to living with Florida Manatees
Florida Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Commission. 620 South Meridian Street. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
www.MyFWC.com/Manatee
Florida Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Commission. 620 South Meridian Street. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
www.MyFWC.com/Manatee
Florida Manatees: A Florida Treasure: Guidelines for boating, diving and snorkeling around manatees.
Florida Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Commission. 620 South Meridian Street. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
www.MyFWC.com/Manatee
Florida Fish and Wildlife, Conservation Commission. 620 South Meridian Street. Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
www.MyFWC.com/Manatee
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Population is less than 2500
Manatee Update Power Point Presentation overview of status and threats by Save the Manatee Club (Florida)
Status of Antillean Manatees in Belize Powerpoint Presentation by the Belize Forest Department
The Florida Manatee 1989
Published by FPL written by Victoria Brook Van Meter and illustrated by Laura Sartucci Weigert
Published by FPL written by Victoria Brook Van Meter and illustrated by Laura Sartucci Weigert
