FWC proposes increased boat speeds in Indian River Lagoon near previous manatee hot spots

Описание: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is set to decide next week on a proposal that would fundamentally change how boaters navigate the waterways of Indian River County.

The vote, scheduled for February 5, 2026, marks the first significant update to the county’s manatee protection zones in over two decades. While the plan includes expanding slow-speed requirements in certain sensitive habitats, it also proposes easing restrictions in other well-known areas—a move that has sparked a mix of relief and concern among local residents and visitors.

"I'm concerned because I am a manatee lover, and so I really want to protect the manatees and if the increase in boating speed is going to hurt them, you know I'm not for it," said Claire Floyd, a manatee entusiast who brings her children to see the mammals every year.

Her anxiety reflects a broader debate on whether the latest data truly supports moving away from the strict regulations established in 2002. FWC officials point to aerial survey data collected in 2019, which shows that manatee sighting rates have dropped to roughly 0.5 per flight in specific areas, suggesting that some existing protection zones may no longer align with current manatee "hot spots."

Read more: https://cbs12.com/news/local/fwc-prop...
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