Website design By BotEap.comOur oceans are home to many marine mammals, fish, turtles, corals, and others. The delicate balance between man and the ocean is constantly challenged by the demands of our society. Most of our planet is covered by water, a necessary ingredient for human life. The state of our oceans must be foremost on our minds if the quality of life for all species remains as it is. Manatees: An Endangered Species The common name for Florida’s gentle giants is the West Indian manatee. They are found in rivers, springs, and shallow coastal waters of Florida and adjacent states. Weighing up to 3,500 pounds and with a bulbous face and stocky shape, scientists believe they are the ‘mermaids’ identified by sailors in historical lore. Manatees consume 5 to 10 percent of their body weight daily and spend 6 to 8 hours a day feeding. They are plant eaters and are commonly found grazing in the same areas as recreational boaters. This fact is responsible for numerous manatee killings and mutilations in Florida each year. Propeller scars are so common in manatees that a computerized catalog of photographs exists to allow identification of individuals by their scars. According to the February 2004 count of manatees in Florida by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, only 2,568 remain in Florida. Even with this low number, some are making efforts to remove manatees from the endangered species list. Dolphins: Our Favorite Marine Mammal Humans love dolphins for their smiling face. Dolphins don’t really smile, this is just the shape of their mouths. Dolphins are mammals. They have hair, breathe air, and give birth to live young. Hair visible at birth, a few whiskers here and there. The dolphins can weigh up to 800 pounds and have lived for up to 50 years, the length of time we’ve been tracking them. Dolphins eat fish and swallow them whole. Dolphins give birth to one baby at a time and the baby usually stays with the mother for the first three years, growing rapidly on the mother’s milk. Dolphins are not endangered at this time, but the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 requires that we stay away from them. So enjoy them from afar! Sea Turtles-Florida Recovery Efforts All sea turtle species are endangered or threatened, and many lay their eggs along the South Florida coast. Loggerheads, leatherbacks, and green sea turtles have been nesting here. South Florida is also one of the best tourist destinations in the country. The beaches are populated with condominiums and high-rise hotels. Some cities have passed ‘no lights’ laws to help these hatchlings find their way to the ocean instead of the roads to die while the babies follow the brightest light. Dimming or turning off the lights late at night helps protect these babies. The rare Kemp’s Ridley has also been seen in Florida. Many of our local nature centers organize guided tours to see how the huge turtles come ashore each year to lay their eggs. Each turtle can lay up to 100 eggs. Within 43 to 75 days, the hatchlings are ready to find the ocean and fight for survival. They will return to the same beaches 25 or more years later to lay their eggs. Stay tuned for news on this year’s nest counts in South Florida. WHAT IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF WATER POLLUTION? Most of the pollution comes from general pollutant discharge locations rather than a specific location. Florida’s pollution is stormwater runoff. This is rainwater that flows off the earth’s surface and carries trash, oil, and chemicals into the nearest waterway, either directly or through storm drains. A brochure produced through Youth Environmental Programs, Inc. states, “Water pollution prevention doesn’t start when you’re in or near water. It’s a practice that should be implemented in all areas of your life.” WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
1. Use a canvas shopping bag instead of paper or plastic and reusable plates and cups instead of disposable ones.
2. Support recycling efforts in your community.
3. Clean with non-toxic products like lemons, vinegar, and baking soda instead of harsh cleaning solutions.
4. Save water by turning off the shower when you soap and the faucet when you brush your teeth. Adopt a dolphin!
Dolphin Research Center
58901 Overseas Highway
Grassy Key, FL 33050
305-289-1121

Website design By BotEap.comAdopt a manatee!
save the manatee club
500 N. Maitland Avenue
Maitland, FL 32751
1-800-432-5646 or 407-539-0990

Website design By BotEap.comAdditional source used for this newsletter:
Florida Department of Environment
Protection, Florida Marine Research Institute,
100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, Florida
33701-5095.