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T After 25 Years, Club's Plate Still Full - Save the Manatee Club

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This issue is dedicated to our members worldwide for <strong>the</strong>ir support.<br />

500 N. Maitland Ave.<br />

Maitland, FL 32751<br />

March, Volume <strong>25</strong><br />

Issue #1 of 2006<br />

Published four times a year<br />

in March, June, September<br />

and November<br />

If you do not have internet access,<br />

please request a hard copy of any<br />

web site article referred to within this<br />

newsletter by calling 1-800-432-JOIN.<br />

Thank you.<br />

<strong>After</strong> <strong>25</strong> <strong>Years</strong>, <strong>Club</strong>’s <strong>Plate</strong> <strong>Still</strong> <strong>Full</strong><br />

By Judith Vallee, Executive Director<br />

T<br />

his year marks <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong>’s <strong>25</strong>th anniversary! The <strong>Club</strong> was started<br />

in 1981 by singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett and <strong>the</strong>n Florida governor, Bob<br />

Graham, to raise awareness about <strong>the</strong> endangered manatee. I think it’s very<br />

safe to say that most Americans had never heard of a manatee back <strong>the</strong>n. One<br />

of our major accomplishments over our <strong>25</strong>-year history has been raising <strong>the</strong> manatee’s<br />

profile so that now many people from around <strong>the</strong> globe are aware of <strong>the</strong> manatee and its<br />

plight. Through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Club</strong>’s<br />

adoption programs, people<br />

who have never had <strong>the</strong><br />

opportunity to actually see<br />

a manatee in <strong>the</strong> wild have<br />

been able to get up-close<br />

and personal. People are<br />

absolutely passionate about<br />

<strong>the</strong>m, one way or <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

And while <strong>the</strong> vast majority<br />

loves <strong>the</strong>m, not everyone<br />

feels <strong>the</strong> same way!<br />

Just what about this<br />

gentle, playful, and<br />

altoge<strong>the</strong>r unique animal<br />

brings out <strong>the</strong> best in some<br />

people and <strong>the</strong> worst in<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rs? For starters, <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Club</strong> has been successful in<br />

winning manatee protection<br />

regulations. Some see <strong>the</strong>se<br />

Jimmy Buffett, at far left, and former Florida Governor and<br />

U.S. Senator Bob Graham, far right, announce <strong>the</strong> formation<br />

of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> Committee at a press event in 1981.<br />

(Photo by Richard Wells, Orlando Sentinel Star).<br />

regulations as impediments to <strong>the</strong> development of Florida’s fragile coastline or to operating<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir boats as fast as <strong>the</strong>y want in crowded inland waterways. If you’ve ever watched a<br />

manatee placidly gliding through <strong>the</strong> water, happily munching on sea grasses, or humorously<br />

doing barrel rolls in <strong>the</strong> warm currents of a spring run, it’s almost impossible to believe<br />

<strong>the</strong>se docile animals are at <strong>the</strong> epicenter of so many controversies.<br />

Now is a pivotal time for manatee protection, with existing regulations under fire and<br />

no new protections on <strong>the</strong> table. Unmistakably, agency management decisions are not being<br />

made based on <strong>the</strong> best available science. This is evidenced by <strong>the</strong> fact that manatees face<br />

downlisting at <strong>the</strong> state and possibly <strong>the</strong> federal levels (see article on page 4). Also, <strong>the</strong><br />

Endangered Species Act could be substantially weakened in Congress this year, and manatees<br />

may be excluded from <strong>the</strong> protections of <strong>the</strong> federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.<br />

The marine industries and development community will continue <strong>the</strong>ir full-speed push<br />

to increase waterway access for boats in <strong>the</strong> next Florida legislative session while at <strong>the</strong><br />

same time lobbying to roll back existing manatee protective regulations, such as boat<br />

speed zones. Decision-makers are buying into industry rhetoric that <strong>the</strong>re is a huge statewide<br />

need for more docks. However, information is grossly lacking on whe<strong>the</strong>r or where<br />

this need really exists.<br />

In <strong>the</strong> last five years, 1,682 manatees have died in Florida from all causes (this includes<br />

396 in 2005). Of those, 398 are known to have been killed by watercraft (including 80<br />

in 2005). Clearly, this is not <strong>the</strong> time for <strong>the</strong> agencies to be taking any action that could<br />

reduce protections. Ra<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> agencies should be doing everything possible to ensure<br />

<strong>the</strong> long-term survival of this beloved species.<br />

During its <strong>25</strong> years of operation, <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong> has achieved much and won<br />

innumerable protections for manatees (go to www.save<strong>the</strong>manatee.org/Accomplishments_<br />

1997-2005.pdf for highlights of our accomplishments). But as manatee advocates, we can’t<br />

rest on our laurels. Before we can give ourselves a pat on <strong>the</strong> back for a job well done, we<br />

continued on page 2


<strong>After</strong> <strong>25</strong> <strong>Years</strong>, <strong>Club</strong>’s <strong>Plate</strong> <strong>Still</strong> <strong>Full</strong><br />

continued from page 1<br />

still have many more critical battles<br />

to win, and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Club</strong>’s plate continues<br />

to be full.<br />

On behalf of our Board of<br />

Directors and our hard-working<br />

hough <strong>the</strong> importance<br />

of saving species seems<br />

lost on this generation<br />

of conservative lawmakers,<br />

it was deeply appreciated<br />

32 years ago when Congress overwhelmingly<br />

passed <strong>the</strong> Endangered<br />

Species Act.<br />

They understood that man’s very<br />

existence depends on <strong>the</strong> planet’s<br />

biodiversity. The act protects that<br />

diversity by authorizing conservation<br />

measures for listed species, including<br />

preserving critical habitat on<br />

public and private property. Florida<br />

has a similar list of plants and animals<br />

that warrant state protections.<br />

and dedicated staff, my heartfelt<br />

thanks for your support – and even<br />

more than that – thanks so much<br />

for caring!<br />

Judith Vallee has been <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Building Upon Success<br />

An editorial excerpted with permission from <strong>the</strong> Daytona Beach News-Journal<br />

T<br />

The act’s successes are evident –<br />

more than 7,600 pairs of bald eagles<br />

in <strong>the</strong> lower 48 states today compared<br />

to 417 pairs when it was<br />

enacted; whooping cranes thriving<br />

in <strong>the</strong> Midwest, condors soaring<br />

over California, sea turtles returning<br />

to nest on Florida beaches. But<br />

that hasn’t stopped well-organized<br />

attempts to cripple <strong>the</strong> federal act<br />

or <strong>the</strong> state protections, attempts<br />

that are gaining momentum with<br />

an unsuspecting public’s support.<br />

Nei<strong>the</strong>r Congress nor <strong>the</strong> state<br />

of Florida should be watering down<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir de-listing criteria. The state<br />

has already done that and in June<br />

<strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong>’s executive director<br />

since 1985. Later this year, she will<br />

step down as executive director in<br />

order to concentrate on raising muchneeded<br />

funds for <strong>Club</strong> programs.<br />

will use <strong>the</strong> weaker criteria to decide<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r to remove manatees from<br />

its endangered list. That would<br />

likely lead to a similar de-listing<br />

by <strong>the</strong> federal government. The<br />

stability of <strong>the</strong> sea cow population<br />

is in serious doubt.<br />

Changing <strong>the</strong> rules to make<br />

a species look more sustainable<br />

than it is defeats <strong>the</strong> intent of<br />

Congress in 1973.<br />

It is obvious that 2006 will<br />

be a critical year for protecting<br />

endangered and threatened species.<br />

At <strong>the</strong> moment, it’s not looking<br />

good for <strong>the</strong> plants or <strong>the</strong> critters.<br />

Sign up for our free monthly E-newsletter at www.save<strong>the</strong>manatee.org/enews_signup.htm<br />

2<br />

On The Move In Tampa Bay<br />

By Suzanne Tarr, Volunteer<br />

Winter has officially arrived, if for<br />

just a moment, in southwest Florida.<br />

<strong>After</strong> a balmy December, temperatures<br />

finally took a dip in January.<br />

In Tampa Bay, manatee numbers<br />

typically increase during <strong>the</strong> early<br />

winter months, as <strong>the</strong>y move away<br />

from summer haunts and migrate<br />

closer to warm water refuges.<br />

Vector is usually one of <strong>the</strong> first<br />

to drop in at a warm water site, so<br />

I was not surprised to hear that he<br />

was <strong>the</strong> first adoptee to be spotted<br />

this season. In early November,<br />

Vector visited <strong>the</strong> Culbreath Key<br />

area known for its lush sea grass<br />

beds that manatees feed on year<br />

round. The week of Thanksgiving,<br />

he was observed on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Bay’s bridge at <strong>the</strong> Florida<br />

Progress Bartow power plant in<br />

St. Petersburg, along with ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

adoptee, Flicker.<br />

Flicker spent several days at this<br />

protected federal sanctuary in late<br />

November and early December.<br />

Demonstrating her extensive use<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Bay, before visiting Bartow,<br />

Flicker was spotted in a non-winter<br />

“hot spot,” Coffeepot Bayou, and<br />

after hanging out at Bartow, she<br />

was photographed across <strong>the</strong> Bay<br />

at Tampa Bay’s largest aggregation<br />

site, TECO’s Big Bend power plant.<br />

Elsie also checked in at TECO<br />

<strong>the</strong> second week of December. I<br />

expect Vector to show up at TECO<br />

soon enough, as he has been photographed<br />

<strong>the</strong>re annually for over<br />

a decade.<br />

Not to be forgotten and far<strong>the</strong>r<br />

to <strong>the</strong> south, Ginger was spotted<br />

with a calf in September in <strong>the</strong> Marco<br />

Island area. This winter, she has<br />

been photographed at Lee County<br />

<strong>Manatee</strong> Park, a warm water site<br />

fed by Florida Power & Light<br />

Company’s power plant warm<br />

water discharge in Fort Myers.<br />

While I’m glad that most of our<br />

adoptees (Jemp is <strong>the</strong> lone hold out)<br />

are accounted for, I must end on a<br />

cautionary note. This winter has<br />

been unseasonably warm so far,<br />

meaning that manatees usually at<br />

<strong>the</strong> warm water aggregation sites,<br />

or very close to <strong>the</strong>m, may be more<br />

dispersed and in areas that boaters<br />

may not expect to see <strong>the</strong>m this time<br />

of year. While boating, please be<br />

vigilant and aware because manatees<br />

are sharing <strong>the</strong> waterways with<br />

you! For tips on how to be a safer<br />

boater in manatee habitat and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

tips on conservation stewardship,<br />

visit our website at: www.save<strong>the</strong><br />

manatee.org/bttips.htm<br />

continued on page 8


A <strong>Manatee</strong> Baby<br />

At Blue Spring<br />

Could Be Named<br />

<strong>After</strong> You<br />

Have you ever dreamed of<br />

having a real baby manatee<br />

named after you (or someone<br />

you love – think of what a<br />

wonderful present that would<br />

make)? Well this is a dream that<br />

Photo © Walker Stanberry<br />

can come true! To commemorate<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>Club</strong>’s <strong>25</strong>th Anniversary,<br />

we are holding a first-time-ever donation drawing called A <strong>Manatee</strong> Is My Namesake. The donation drawing starts<br />

now and will run through <strong>Manatee</strong> Awareness Month 2006 (November 30, 2006).<br />

The only qualification to enter <strong>the</strong> drawing is that your <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong> membership must be active.<br />

Lapsed members or non-members are not eligible to enter <strong>the</strong> donation drawing. Just fill out <strong>the</strong> form below<br />

and send it to us with your donation of $10 per name.<br />

This is how it works:<br />

One of <strong>the</strong> baby manatees born at Blue Spring State Park during <strong>the</strong> 2006/2007 winter season will be named after<br />

you (or someone you love) if your entry is drawn. The baby manatee will <strong>the</strong>n become part of our Blue Spring<br />

manatee adoption program.* The calf’s biography will include information about you and you will be mentioned<br />

on our website and in our newsletters.<br />

You will have <strong>the</strong> great satisfaction of knowing that:<br />

• a real manatee calf living in <strong>the</strong> wild is named after you<br />

• many people from around <strong>the</strong> globe will adopt <strong>the</strong> calf (who will be <strong>the</strong> youngest adoptee we’ve ever had),<br />

so you’ll be helping to enlist even more people to support manatee protection.*<br />

• much-needed funds to protect manatees will be raised for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Club</strong> (a portion of <strong>the</strong> proceeds will be donated to<br />

Blue Spring State Park for <strong>the</strong>ir manatee protection efforts).<br />

* Sometimes, it is difficult to identify manatee calves as <strong>the</strong>y grow up in <strong>the</strong> wild. The calf will become part of <strong>the</strong><br />

adoption program if he/she is able to be identified and <strong>the</strong>re is enough information so that members can follow along.<br />

“A <strong>Manatee</strong> Is My Namesake” Donation Drawing<br />

Date: ________________________________________________________________________________________<br />

Baby Name(s): ________________________________________________________________________________<br />

_____________________________________________________________________________________________<br />

Your Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________<br />

Address:______________________________________________________________________________________<br />

City: ______________________________________ State: __________________ Zip:_______________________<br />

Daytime Telephone Number: _____________________________________________________________________<br />

E-mail Address: _______________________________________________________________________________<br />

Amount paid ($10 for each name submitted): $ _______________________________________________________<br />

Pay by check, money order, or credit card (we accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express):<br />

Credit Card #:__________________________________________________ Exp. Date: ______________________<br />

Signature: ____________________________________________________________________________________<br />

Send form and payment to <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong>, 500 N. Maitland Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. Thank you.<br />

3


Shamefully, State Poised To Downlist<br />

O<br />

n January 20, <strong>the</strong> Florida<br />

Fish & Wildlife Conservation<br />

Commission<br />

(FWCC) issued a<br />

press release stating <strong>the</strong>ir manatee<br />

biological review panel is recommending<br />

<strong>the</strong> manatee for downlisting<br />

at <strong>the</strong> state level from endangered<br />

to threatened.<br />

You will remember that a state<br />

biological review of <strong>the</strong> manatee is<br />

being conducted because of a petition<br />

from a recreational angler’s group<br />

opposed to boat speed restrictions.<br />

Last year, <strong>the</strong> FWCC adopted<br />

state listing/delisting criteria for<br />

imperiled species so stringent that<br />

manatees would have to undergo<br />

or be at risk of undergoing an 80%<br />

decline in population before <strong>the</strong>y<br />

could be listed as endangered in<br />

Florida. The panel’s review of <strong>the</strong><br />

manatee’s status was conducted using<br />

only <strong>the</strong>se highly flawed criteria.<br />

Fur<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> state is adopting<br />

imperilment categories based on <strong>the</strong><br />

World Conservation Union’s (IUCN)<br />

standards for listing species, but<br />

refusing to use IUCN’s corresponding<br />

terminology for each category.<br />

For example, <strong>the</strong> FWCC uses <strong>the</strong><br />

IUCN’s criteria for “endangered”<br />

but <strong>the</strong>n labels <strong>the</strong>m as “threatened.”<br />

In June, <strong>the</strong> panel’s recommendation<br />

goes before <strong>the</strong> FWCC<br />

Commission. <strong>Manatee</strong>s will be<br />

downlisted regardless of how <strong>the</strong>y<br />

are actually faring in <strong>the</strong> wild<br />

because of tremendous pressure<br />

from special interest groups.<br />

Last year was <strong>the</strong> second worst<br />

year on record for manatee mortality.<br />

Just in <strong>the</strong> last five years, 1,682<br />

manatees have died from all causes<br />

in Florida waters. That is almost<br />

an 18% increase over <strong>the</strong> previous<br />

five-year period. Fur<strong>the</strong>r, in <strong>the</strong> last<br />

five years, 398 manatees were killed<br />

by boats. That’s a 17% increase<br />

over <strong>the</strong> previous five-year period!<br />

Please contact Florida Governor<br />

Jeb Bush to oppose <strong>the</strong> manatee’s<br />

downlisting by going to www.save<br />

<strong>the</strong>manatee.org/actionalert.cfm?id=<br />

12 and sending an online letter.<br />

Please also call his office at<br />

850-488-4441. Many thanks!<br />

4<br />

Cool <strong>Manatee</strong> Stuff!<br />

Learn about manatees, and have fun doing it! To watch a video, listen to manatee sounds,<br />

send a postcard, take a quiz, and much more, go to www.save<strong>the</strong>manatee.org/coolstuff.htm<br />

Winter Season, Reporting For Roll Call<br />

Blue Spring Update, by Ranger Wayne Hartley<br />

DEEP DENT HAS RETURNED!!<br />

He was in on December 12th. I<br />

knew it was Deep Dent but took<br />

special care to look him all over<br />

to be sure. In <strong>the</strong> past two years of<br />

absence, Deep Dent has not changed<br />

one observable bit. He has no new<br />

deep dents!<br />

The season started without me<br />

as I had gone to Texas to see my<br />

youngest son before he departed<br />

for Iraq. I estimated <strong>the</strong> season<br />

started on October 28th. They were<br />

not supposed to be in so early!<br />

So far this year, we have at least<br />

<strong>25</strong>0 different manatees we have<br />

seen in <strong>the</strong> Run. This is a new<br />

record over last year’s record 200.<br />

Speaking of records, I had an official<br />

count of 145 on January 8th.<br />

Last season’s record count was<br />

129. We have seventeen calves<br />

this season; so far, it is very hard to<br />

sort <strong>the</strong> calves out in such a crowd!<br />

Not a record but plenty of calves.<br />

Many animals are not marked<br />

(unscarred). Perhaps regulations to<br />

protect <strong>the</strong>m are working, although<br />

offhand, I can still think of six manatees<br />

terribly injured this summer.<br />

Ga<strong>the</strong>ring of manatees at Blue Spring on a cold winter’s day. Photo by<br />

Walker Stanberry.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r than a few scratches that<br />

could have been from a tree, rock or<br />

dock, I have observed no new marks<br />

on <strong>the</strong> adoptees. The big days for<br />

return to Blue Spring for <strong>the</strong> winter<br />

wea<strong>the</strong>r were November 26th with<br />

six, and December 12th with four.<br />

Brutus was back on December 13th<br />

but didn’t stay around much. Dana<br />

is recorded as coming in on<br />

December 22nd, still nursing her<br />

one year old, Ditch. She is marked<br />

but such a good healer that <strong>the</strong> scar<br />

is easy to miss in <strong>the</strong> crowds we<br />

had. Doc was back on December<br />

26th and is in a lot. Flash made it in<br />

continued on page 6


Rampant Growth Threatens Spring’s Future<br />

By Sandra Clinger, East Coast Florida Regional Coordinator<br />

T<br />

he St.<br />

Johns<br />

River<br />

Water<br />

Management District<br />

(SJRWMD) released<br />

its updated report<br />

and recommended<br />

minimum flow<br />

proposal for Blue<br />

Spring, which is<br />

<strong>the</strong> winter home<br />

of most of our<br />

manatee adoptees.<br />

Disappointingly, <strong>the</strong><br />

proposal continues<br />

to allow groundwater<br />

withdrawals to<br />

reduce spring flow<br />

up to 16% of <strong>the</strong><br />

average annual flow rate and would<br />

reduce <strong>the</strong> currently available warm<br />

water refuge area for manatees by<br />

37% under catastrophic conditions.<br />

Less flow from <strong>the</strong> spring means less<br />

warm water available for manatees.<br />

The district’s proposal doesn’t<br />

recommend <strong>the</strong> flow to be restored<br />

Facts Should Matter<br />

By Patrick M. Rose, Director of Government Relations<br />

Will <strong>the</strong> facts matter to <strong>the</strong><br />

Florida Legislature when <strong>the</strong> big<br />

money interests press for changes<br />

in <strong>the</strong> coastal development permitting<br />

process to make even<br />

more money faster?<br />

Although <strong>the</strong> facts would tell<br />

you that development permits (for<br />

marinas, docks, and boat ramps)<br />

on Florida’s waterfronts are being<br />

processed and approved at nearly<br />

frantic rates, one thing we can be<br />

sure of this session is that dock<br />

builders and developers will be<br />

lobbying for an even more streamlined<br />

process that will get <strong>the</strong>m<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir permits in record time. Sea<br />

grasses, fisheries, manatees, and<br />

water quality all suffer when <strong>the</strong><br />

agencies charged to assess <strong>the</strong><br />

adverse impacts of proposed<br />

projects are not provided <strong>the</strong><br />

appropriate time or resources to<br />

properly evaluate and mitigate<br />

for <strong>the</strong>se impacts.<br />

Both state and federal laws<br />

Drawing by Steve Grew, an Orlando, FL artist.<br />

to present levels until 2024. The<br />

data <strong>the</strong> SJRWMD used in its model<br />

knowingly under-estimates manatee<br />

use at Blue Spring, which benefits<br />

developers wanting maximum<br />

ground water withdrawals.<br />

If <strong>the</strong> proposed minimum flow<br />

is adopted by <strong>the</strong> state, it could<br />

require that in addition to evaluating<br />

<strong>the</strong> individual impacts of each<br />

proposed project, <strong>the</strong> cumulative<br />

impacts of existing and future projects<br />

also need to be considered. Unfortunately<br />

this is not happening.<br />

Decision-makers really don’t want<br />

to know just how badly <strong>the</strong> impacts<br />

from all of <strong>the</strong>se projects are affecting<br />

<strong>the</strong> quality of our waterways<br />

because <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y would have to<br />

address <strong>the</strong> problems.<br />

Will <strong>the</strong> facts matter? I really<br />

doubt it so long as most lawmakers<br />

are influenced by political contributions<br />

more than <strong>the</strong>ir responsibility<br />

to <strong>the</strong> public trust.<br />

To end on a positive note, I<br />

want to applaud Florida Senate<br />

President Tom Lee for having <strong>the</strong><br />

great courage to seek a ban on<br />

lobbyists’ gifts and for his efforts<br />

on o<strong>the</strong>r reforms. Special thanks<br />

also to Florida House Speaker<br />

Allan Bense for working to make<br />

it a reality.<br />

have catastrophic<br />

consequences<br />

for manatees seeking<br />

refuge from <strong>the</strong><br />

cold at Blue Spring.<br />

The minimum flow<br />

should be set at no<br />

less than <strong>the</strong> current<br />

average annual flow.<br />

Blue Spring<br />

State Park was<br />

established to<br />

protect <strong>the</strong> spring<br />

run for manatees<br />

and an entire<br />

subpopulation<br />

of manatees is<br />

dependent on<br />

Blue Spring to<br />

survive <strong>the</strong> cold<br />

winter temperatures.<br />

<strong>Manatee</strong>s should not be sacrificed<br />

for developers’ profits. Please take<br />

<strong>the</strong> time to “Take Action” on this<br />

issue. Go to www.save<strong>the</strong>manatee.<br />

org/actionalert.cfm?id=8 to send<br />

an online letter. Thanks so much<br />

for your help!<br />

Take Action<br />

Please e-mail, call, or fax<br />

Senator Lee and Speaker Bense<br />

to thank <strong>the</strong>m for <strong>the</strong>ir stance on<br />

lobbyist reform and to ask <strong>the</strong>m<br />

to oppose any weakening of state<br />

environmental laws. Their contact<br />

information follows:<br />

The Honorable Tom Lee, President<br />

Room 312<br />

Senate Office Building<br />

404 South Monroe Street<br />

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100<br />

Phone: (850) 487-5072<br />

FAX: (813) 744-8556<br />

E-mail: lee.tom.web@flsenate.gov<br />

The Honorable Allan G. Bense,<br />

Speaker<br />

Florida House of Representatives<br />

420 The Capitol<br />

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300<br />

Phone: (850) 488-1450<br />

Fax: (850) 914-6302<br />

E-mail: speaker@myfloridahouse.gov<br />

5


A Helping Hand For The Girls At Homosassa<br />

By Park Ranger Kenneth Torres<br />

H<br />

omosassa Springs<br />

Wildlife State Park<br />

would like to thank<br />

<strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong><br />

for funding a large manatee stretcher<br />

including stretcher poles and crane<br />

sling. The <strong>Club</strong>’s funding will<br />

also include purchasing a blood<br />

centrifuge. This equipment will<br />

greatly help with <strong>the</strong> husbandry<br />

of our captive manatees during<br />

routine physicals.<br />

There has been a recent upgrade to<br />

visitor manatee educational services.<br />

Park Ranger Matt Robinson installed<br />

a new closed circuit camera in <strong>the</strong><br />

underwater observatory, so that visitors<br />

can stay up top and view <strong>the</strong><br />

manatees and fish on a monitor, if<br />

<strong>the</strong>y choose not to, or cannot, go<br />

below in <strong>the</strong> underwater observatory.<br />

Now onto news about our manatees:<br />

Rosie is our largest manatee.<br />

She is 11 feet 8 inches long and<br />

weighs approximately 3200 pounds!<br />

The new manatee stretcher is<br />

designed in her honor. Rosie has<br />

been enjoying sleeping by <strong>the</strong> Park’s<br />

Long River Bridge.<br />

Lorelei is very predictable.<br />

She never misses an educational<br />

program or a feeding. She likes<br />

to swim around <strong>the</strong> spring run<br />

during <strong>the</strong> day.<br />

Amanda is still <strong>the</strong> show<br />

stopper. Our visitors take<br />

pleasure in watching her splash<br />

<strong>the</strong> water with her head to receive<br />

her vitamins in <strong>the</strong> morning.<br />

Betsy spends most of <strong>the</strong><br />

time in <strong>the</strong> shallow water sunning<br />

herself in front of <strong>the</strong> west<br />

entrance observation area, she<br />

shows up for some of <strong>the</strong> programs<br />

and is always ready for<br />

her feeding in <strong>the</strong> morning and<br />

afternoon.<br />

At our educational programs,<br />

Ariel is one of <strong>the</strong> most active manatees.<br />

She is always ready for more<br />

food and she’s adopting Amanda’s<br />

behavior of splashing with her head.<br />

During <strong>the</strong>ir cold wea<strong>the</strong>r aerial<br />

surveys, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Fish & Wildlife<br />

Service counted 90 to 100+ manatees<br />

on average in <strong>the</strong> “Blue Waters”<br />

Lorelei enjoying <strong>the</strong> day.<br />

area adjacent to our park. Our<br />

<strong>Manatee</strong> Watch Volunteers were<br />

out <strong>the</strong>re daily in kayaks educating<br />

visitors about manatees.<br />

Park Ranger Kenneth Torres<br />

has been with <strong>the</strong> Florida Park<br />

Service in Wildlife Care since<br />

2001. He has broad experience<br />

with manatee husbandry.<br />

Don’t forget to visit <strong>the</strong> Park.<br />

You can observe <strong>the</strong> manatees<br />

<strong>the</strong>re year-round.<br />

Protect <strong>Manatee</strong>s For Tomorrow<br />

Please consult your attorney for information on including <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong> in your will.<br />

You’ll have <strong>the</strong> satisfaction of knowing that support of manatees will be sustained<br />

through your thoughtful bequest. Many thanks!<br />

6<br />

Winter Season, Reporting For Roll Call<br />

continued from page 4<br />

on December 13th. Floyd was<br />

December 7th. Howie is in a<br />

lot. His first appearance was on<br />

December 8th. Lenny has been in<br />

several times since November 26th.<br />

Lilly also made her first appearance<br />

that day. She has not had a calf<br />

since Lawton in 2002. Lucille however,<br />

in on December 12th, has a<br />

calf every o<strong>the</strong>r year like clockwork.<br />

She has ano<strong>the</strong>r calf this year.<br />

Merlin was back <strong>the</strong> same day as<br />

Lucille but after a few days hasn’t<br />

been back since. Nick was also in<br />

that day but has stayed around.<br />

Paddy Doyle likes to hang out and<br />

was in <strong>the</strong> November 26th group.<br />

Phillip was in as of December 7th.<br />

Phyllis came in on December 26th<br />

without her calf, Biker. I am beginning<br />

to think she weans her calves<br />

after five to seven months! I didn’t<br />

think calves nursed less than a<br />

year. Robin was in as of December<br />

7th, still moving up and down <strong>the</strong><br />

Run a lot. Margarito was with <strong>the</strong><br />

November 26th crowd. Whiskers<br />

made <strong>the</strong> December 12th date and<br />

is nearly always in front of <strong>the</strong><br />

observation dock. I find him sleeping<br />

instead of storming around getting<br />

into whatever is happening, as he<br />

did in <strong>the</strong> past.<br />

Ranger Wayne Hartley has worked<br />

with manatee research since his<br />

arrival at Blue Spring State Park in<br />

1979. He is responsible for reporting<br />

information to <strong>the</strong> USGS Sirenia<br />

Project, <strong>the</strong> Florida Fish and Wildlife<br />

Conservation Commission, and<br />

<strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong>.


<strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Manatee</strong> ®<br />

<strong>Club</strong><br />

Order online at www.save<strong>the</strong>manatee.org<br />

(additional items also available)<br />

Official <strong>Club</strong><br />

T-Shirt<br />

Hurry! Get your t-shirt now!<br />

Featuring an incredible<br />

design celebrating <strong>the</strong> <strong>Club</strong>’s<br />

<strong>25</strong>th Anniversary. Beautiful in<br />

full-color on a white pre-shrunk<br />

shirt that’s 100% cotton for<br />

that oh-so-comfy feel.<br />

Item #178 Price $18.95<br />

Front<br />

Back<br />

Tapestry<br />

Woven Throw<br />

Magnificent! Measures 52 69<br />

with a beautiful full-color design<br />

by renowned artist Guy Harvey.<br />

Dress up a bed, hang it on a wall –<br />

wherever it’s displayed, it will<br />

earn you huge compliments.<br />

Made of 100% cotton and<br />

machine washable. Item #169.<br />

Original Price $54.95.<br />

Sale Price $45.95<br />

Magnet<br />

This large 5 7 full-color<br />

magnet comes with an<br />

envelope to mail to a friend,<br />

or keep this fantastic tropical<br />

scene to enjoy year-round.<br />

Item #175 Price $3.95<br />

Cap<br />

Here’s a really cool cap<br />

featuring a cotton twill khaki<br />

front panel with embroidered<br />

logo, a black visor, and nylon<br />

mesh back.<br />

Item #176 Price $9.95<br />

Flag<br />

Bright yellow to help<br />

raise awareness. Sports<br />

three grommets and<br />

comes with a stabilizing<br />

bar to help keep its<br />

shape, whe<strong>the</strong>r on your<br />

boat or on your wall. Nylon flag measures<br />

19 <strong>25</strong> and features a mo<strong>the</strong>r and her calf.<br />

Generously donated by Assured Flow Sales, Inc., Sarasota, FL.<br />

Item #177 Price $8.95<br />

Note: $10 minimum on credit card charges.<br />

SHIPPING & HANDLING FEES (U.S. Only):<br />

$00.00–14.99 . . . $4.95 $30.00–49.99 . . . $6.95 $75.00–99.99. . . $10.95<br />

$15.00–29.99 . . . $5.95 $50.00–74.99 . . . $8.95 $100.00. . . . . . . . $12.95<br />

OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.: Merchandise items can only be ordered online due to<br />

international shipping rates, which differ from country to country. These rates are<br />

online for your convenience. Thank you!<br />

ORDERED BY:<br />

Name ______________________________________________<br />

Address ____________________________________________<br />

City, State, and Zip ____________________________________<br />

Daytime Phone (______) ______________________________<br />

E-Mail Address ______________________________________<br />

SHIP TO: (if different than Ordered By address)<br />

Name ______________________________________________<br />

Address ____________________________________________<br />

City, State, and Zip __________________________________<br />

Qty. Item Description Size Price Total<br />

Florida Residents Only Multiply Subtotal by 6.5% for State Sales Tax:<br />

Please make check or money order payable to “<strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong>.”<br />

Credit Card #: ___________________________________________________<br />

Exp. Date: _______________________<br />

Allow 2–4<br />

weeks for<br />

delivery.<br />

Subtotal:<br />

Shipping and Handling:<br />

See Chart to <strong>the</strong> Left<br />

Total Order:<br />

Credit Card, Check or Money Order (No cash, please.)<br />

Please mail this form and payment to:<br />

<strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong>, Catalog Dept.<br />

500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751<br />

For phone orders call: 1-800-432-JOIN (5646)


<strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> ®<br />

<strong>Club</strong><br />

500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751<br />

U.S.A.<br />

Return Service Requested<br />

Non-Profit<br />

Organization<br />

U.S. POSTAGE<br />

PAID<br />

Orlando, Florida<br />

Permit No. 51022<br />

8<br />

If you see an injured manatee, call 1-888-404-FWCC, #FWC or *FWC, or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio.<br />

<strong>Club</strong> Takes Action On Port<br />

By Patti Thompson, Director of Science and Conservation<br />

As reported in our November 2005 newsletter, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Army Corps of<br />

Engineers (Corps) is involved in a huge project to “improve” <strong>the</strong> Port of<br />

Miami in Dade County, Florida. The deepening and widening of <strong>the</strong> channels<br />

leading into <strong>the</strong> port haven’t yet begun. This phase will have <strong>the</strong> most impacts<br />

on manatees and <strong>the</strong>ir habitat. The expansion includes 1,500 days of underwater<br />

blasting.<br />

Previous work involved some blasting and dredging at <strong>the</strong> port on a much<br />

smaller scale and resulted in fish kills and violations of water quality in<br />

Biscayne Bay, which is a federally designated critical habitat for manatees.<br />

If <strong>the</strong> Corps deems <strong>the</strong> expansion project a success, blasting will become <strong>the</strong><br />

normal method for deepening and widening all ports along Florida’s coastline.<br />

For all <strong>the</strong>se reasons, <strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Manatee</strong> <strong>Club</strong>, Tropical Audubon Society,<br />

The Humane Society of <strong>the</strong> United States, Defenders of Wildlife, and Miami<br />

Beach Rod & Reel <strong>Club</strong> have filed a sixty-day notice letter of intent to sue<br />

<strong>the</strong> federal agencies involved in <strong>the</strong> permit. The ball is now in <strong>the</strong>ir court.<br />

We will keep you updated about <strong>the</strong> status of this issue on <strong>the</strong> web and in<br />

future newsletters.<br />

On The Move In Tampa Bay continued from page 2<br />

We thank <strong>the</strong> Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and<br />

Mote Marine Laboratory for contributing information to this article.<br />

For <strong>the</strong> last several years, Suzanne was employed as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Club</strong>’s Staff<br />

Biologist. She is now a high school biology teacher and continues to<br />

volunteer for us.<br />

<strong>Save</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Manatee</strong> ® <strong>Club</strong>, Inc.<br />

Board of Directors Co-Chairs<br />

Jimmy Buffett and Helen Spivey<br />

Newsletter Editor – Terry Nearing<br />

Staff<br />

Membership Services Representatives:<br />

Judy Bower, Deanna Horne, Denise Nassif,<br />

Carol Stockwell, and Christine Strickland<br />

East Central FL Reg. Coordinator................Sandra Clinger<br />

Southwest FL Reg. Coordinator ....................Laura Combs<br />

Catalog Department Manager................................Liz Cruz<br />

Director of Operations ..............................Connie Graham<br />

Administrative Assistant ..................................Angie Irvin<br />

Office Manager .................................. Mary Jane Keesling<br />

Director of Public Relations ........................Janice Nearing<br />

Director of Government Relations..................Patrick Rose<br />

Director of Online Communications ..........Nancy Sadusky<br />

Director of Science & Conservation..........Patti Thompson<br />

Bookkeeper ..................................................Trude Valante<br />

Executive Director..........................................Judith Vallee<br />

SMC receives 100% of each charitable contribution. SC-03550.<br />

All rights reserved.<br />

www.save<strong>the</strong>manatee.org<br />

1-800-432-JOIN

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