SOUTH CAROLINA–Each year, manatees leave the coast of Florida to make their way to the warming waters of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These gentle creatures, who feed on plants and pose no threat to humans, number only 3,000 in the United States today, and are often killed because of collisions with boats and entanglement in fishing nets.
Because of the conservation efforts under way to protect these aquatic mammals, The S.C. Department of Natural Resources has issued a reminder to all SC residents that feeding or watering manatees is illegal, and can come with jail time of up to one year or a $100,000 fine. Hunting, playing with, and harassing manatees is also prohibited. Feeding and watering manatees encourages them to come into areas, such as marinas, where they are more likely to be maimed or killed.
DNR has difficulty assessing the exact number of migratory manatees due to the low visibility in the murky water of the South Carolina coast. In order to keep more accurate records, DNR asks all residents to be on the look out for manatees; if you see one, take photos and report your sighting to www.dnr.sc.gov/manatee/sight.htm.
In the case that your boat collides with a manatee, do not leave the scene. Call the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 or DNR at 1-800-922-5431. Do so in a prompt manner gives the manatee the best change for surviving the collision.
If you find a dead or injured manatee, please report that to the DNR hotline at 1-800-922-5431.
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