Photo credit: HitherAndThither.net
Yahoo News Travel writer Helen Anne Travis has a great piece entitled How Not to Be a Jerk While Swimming With Manatees in Florida. Travis writes about Citrus County in Florida being the only place where you can swim legally with manatees in the wild in North America.
The warm waters in this area of Florida are favored by the endangered marine mammals as a place to wait out the winter chill. It also attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year who come to swim with these gentle giants.
As a result of this level of human-manatee interaction, some groups are wanting to limit swimmer’s access to the area.
Video footage by Capt. Ross Files, Plantation Adventure Center & Dive Shop
Travis offers these simple tips for swimmers so the area can stay open to visitors.
Practice “passive observation”
This is an approach where swimmers let the manatee make the first move. Swimmers are encouraged by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to wait for manatees to approach instead of initiating contact.
“Everything has to be up to the manatee,“ said Capt. John Pann, manager at the Crystal River Plantation Adventure Center & Dive Shop.
So don’t chase the manatees and particularly don’t harass sleeping manatees.
Stay off the manatees’ lawn
Manatees are herbivores and almost exclusively eat sea grasses. In order to maintain this food source, sections of the area are designated manatee sanctuaries and off limits to swimmers. These areas are clearly marked. So stay out and respect the manatee’s space.
Go with a tour guide who isn’t afraid to get wet
Hire a tour guide that will get in the water with you and guide you through the experience with these great creatures. This will ensure you have a great interaction.
There are sometimes undercover wildlife officers looking for rule violators who can face up to a $100,000 fine. Go with a guide.
Don’t be an idiot
Be nice to the manatees. Don’t poke, pinch or harass the manatees. Duh.
Do stick with snorkels
The sound of scuba equipment can disturb the manatees. Go with snorkel gear. It keeps you near the surface and in line with the whole “passive observation” thing.
Do let the experience change you
“It’s a life-changing experience for some folks,” said Captain Pann. “You get in the water, you see how friendly and loving they are, you’re much more likely to want to protect that animal. You’ll never speed through a manatee zone again.”
Thanks to Helen Anne Travis for these simple tips for enjoying the experience of swimming with manatees in Florida.