Boating is a way of life in Florida. With over one million boats registered in the state, everyone is responsible for boating safely for the benefit of manatees and people alike.
Boat strikes are the leading cause of death for manatees in Florida. Over 90% of manatees alive today have identifiable scars due to boat encounters.
Manatees are slow-moving animals that often live in shallow, warm waters. This makes them vulnerable to boat strikes, especially at night when they are more challenging to see.
This year alone, at least 31 manatees have died due to watercraft strikes, and many more have needed to be rescued. Boat strikes were the leading human-caused threat to manatees in 2024, accounting for 17% of all manatee deaths. Please join with the Port of Palm Beach and others to protect our Manatees and help by donating $500 for Friends of Manatee Lagoon to purchase a sign to remind boaters about manatees.
- If you are a marina, port, or private dock, you can protect our manatees by donating to purchase a sign with your name on it.
- If you are an individual, you can protect our manatees by donating to purchase a sign, and Friends of Manatee Lagoon will work with Private and Public entities to place it in critical areas.
Preview video of the Caution Manatee Signs
There are several signs to choose from:
Sign 1
Sign 2
Sign 3
