Manatee Zone Compliance among Boaters in Florida

Abstract

The endangered Florida manatee is negatively impacted by substantial growth in the use of recreational watercraft, with vessel strikes currently accounting for 24% of manatee deaths in the state. Manatee conservation zones have been delineated that require boaters to reduce vessel speeds. Despite the prominent role these zones play in manatee protection, compliance is variable. Studies conducted in the state show non-compliance to be related to an absence of law enforcement and vessel attributes. This study examined boater compliance (n = 1,669) and its relationship to boat, boater, and situational attributes on the St. Johns River in Volusia County, Florida during the summer and fall of 2006. Hull registration numbers of observed watercraft were used to generate a sample of boaters for a survey to evaluate boater assessment of on-water signage self-reported compliance and other boater attributes. Most respondents self-reported full compliance with speed zones; however, full compliance was exhibited by only 45% of observed vessels relative to strict miles-per-hour speed limits used to represent one slow and one idle speed zone. The average level of non-compliance was low. Compliance varied by site, vessel length, presence of law enforcement, and present or impending foul weather. Furthermore, boaters’ assessment of on-water signage suggests that on-water signage effectiveness may need to be improved.