MANATEE ZONES: HOW YOU CAN HELP
Coastal Conservation Association Florida has just released the following email list as the most effective way to state your case to the US Fish & Wildlife Service for a sane and reasonable approach to proposed closures of large areas of our waterways to accommodate expanded manatee zones. Notify your friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers to write to protect their fishing areas. Facts, not emotion should be used when considering prohibiting
usage of such large areas of our waterways. Take an hour out of your day and voice your opinion now. Don't allow upcoming manatee legislation to close off your fishing grounds.
Make the following points:
1. MANATEE POPULATIONS ARE INCREASING, NOT DECREASING. The January 2001 count was 3276, more than double the count of 10 years ago, yet there is still no criteria for the population to become defined as "recovered." We want this criteria.
2. MANATEE BOATING MORTALITIES ARE MISREPRESENTED. The boating mortality issue is being distorted. Boating mortalities are NOT the leading cause of manatee deaths. Scientific data collected for over 30 years clearly indicates that natural causes (including birth related and unknown causes) account for 70% of all manatee deaths. In 1991 boating mortality of manatees was 3.5% of
total mortality. In 2000 it was also 3.5% of the total.
3. RECREATIONAL FISHING AND MANATEE CONSERVATION ARE COMPATIBLE. In Kings Bay, Crystal River 38 manatees were counted in 1967 to 1968. In December, 1997, 284 were counted. During this period of time there has been a tremendous increase in saltwater fishing activity for tarpon, redfish and seatrout in the area.
4. ASK THIS QUESTION: Why are bays which have never had a boat related manatee mortality, being considered for complete prohibitions on all boating and fishing activity?
5. WHY did so many environmental groups endorse the Save the Manatee Club's lawsuit? Why are the scientific facts being so grossly misrepresented? The majority of the groups involved have other special agendaS, stopping growth and stopping fishing. The manatee is being used as a vehicle to meet this end.
6. Saltwater fishing brought $4,474,842,714 INTO FLORIDA'S ECONOMY last year, provided 54,819 jobs, and will be severely inhibited by the manatee protection proposed.
7. URGE the new Secretary of the Interior to NOT further prohibit public access and fishing in Florida's major saltwater recreational fishing areas and to rethink the over-restrictive zones already in place.
To contact federal officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) www.fws.gov, send your e-mails to fw4_es_jacksonville@fws.gov . Address e-mails to Staff.
NOTE: FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF THE NEW MANATEE REFUGES AND SANCTUARIES BEING PROPOSED BY ONE OF THE MAJOR GROUPS SUING THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER MANATEES, VISIT CCA FLORIDA'S WEBSITE.
Click here now or call 1-239-633-5851 to book your trip on "the BarHopp'R".
LOCAL DESTINATIONS!