Do not feed or give water to manatees.This causes them to lose their fear of humans and boats. Look but don't touch.
If you live on a waterway, orgainize a manatee watch group among your neighbors.
Don't separate a mother and her calf.
Use snorkel gear when attempting to watch manatees. Scuba gear scares them.
Recycle, and have a place for garbage so monofilament line, fishhooks, plastics and trash don't get into the water.
While boating or jet-sking:
Go slow (no-wake speed) in manatee zones or shallow waters.
Wear polarized sunglasses. They allow you to see manatees more easily.
Stay in deep channels. Avoid boating over seagrass areas.
When skiing, choose landlocked lakes.
Have a bag on board for all trash. Do not discard any monofilimanet line (it is against the state law), fishhooks, plastics or trash into the water.
When you register your boat donate $1.00 or more for use in the state's (Florida) rescue and protection efforts.
For more on manatees:
Manatee Survival Foundation:954-943-4391
Save the Manatee Club:800-539-JOIN or (www.objectlinks.com/manatee)
To donate to the Miami Seaaquarium's halfway house (tax deductible) call the Miami River Marine Group:305-285-1864.
If you see a manatee in distress call:800-DIAL-FMP