Our oceans are home to many marine mammals, fish, turtles, corals, and others. The delicate balance between man and the ocean is constantly challenged by the demands of our society. Most of our planet is covered by water, a necessary ingredient for human life. The state of our oceans should be the most important thing in our minds so that the quality of life of all species remains as it is. Manatee: An Endangered Species The common name for Florida’s gentle giants is the West Indian manatee. They are found in rivers, springs, and shallow coastal waters of Florida and adjacent states. Weighing up to 3,500 pounds and having a bulbous face and rounded shape, scientists believe they are the ‘mermaids’ identified by sailors in historical lore. Manatee consume 5 to 10 percent of their body weight daily and spend 6 to 8 hours a day foraging. They are herbivores and are commonly found grazing in the same areas as recreational boaters. This fact explains the numerous killings and mutilations of manatees in Florida each year. Propeller scars are so common in manatees that a computerized catalog of photographs exists to allow identification of individuals by their scars. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s February 2004 count of manatees in Florida, there are only 2,568 left in Florida. Even with this low number, some are struggling to remove manatees from the endangered species list. Dolphins – Our Favorite Marine Mammal Humans love dolphins for their smiling faces. Dolphins aren’t really smiling, it’s just the shape of their mouths. Dolphins are mammals. They have hair, breathe air, and give birth to live young. Hair is visible at birth, some whiskers here and there. Dolphins can weigh up to 800 pounds and have lived up to 50 years, the period in which we have been tracking them. Dolphins eat fish and swallow it whole. Dolphins give birth to one baby at a time, and the baby generally stays with the mother for the first three years, growing rapidly on the mother’s milk. Dolphins are not in danger of extinction at this time, but the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 requires that we stay away from them. So enjoy them from afar! Sea Turtles-Florida Recovery Efforts All species of sea turtles are endangered or threatened and many of them lay their eggs along the South Florida coast. Loggerhead turtles, leatherback turtles, green sea turtles have been nesting here. South Florida is also one of the best tourist destinations in the country. The beaches are populated with high-rise condos and hotels. Some cities have passed ‘no lights’ laws to help these hatchlings find their way to the ocean instead of the roads to be killed while the babies follow the brightest light. Turning the lights off or off late at night helps protect these babies. Kemp’s rare Ridley has also been seen in Florida. Many of our local nature centers run guided tours to observe the huge turtles that come ashore every year or so to lay their eggs. Each turtle can lay up to 100 eggs. Within 43-75 days, the hatchlings are ready to find the ocean and fight for survival. They will return to the same beaches 25 or more years later to lay their eggs. Stay tuned for news of this year’s nest counts in South Florida. WHAT IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF WATER POLLUTION? Most of the pollution comes from general pollution discharge locations rather than a specific location. Florida’s pollution is stormwater runoff. This is rainwater that flows from the surface of the earth and carries trash, oil and chemicals to the nearest waterway, either directly or through storm drains. A brochure produced through Youth Environmental Programs, Inc says, “Preventing water pollution does not start when you are in or near water. It is a practice that should be implemented in all areas of your life.” WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
1. Use a canvas shopping bag instead of paper or plastic and reusable plates and cups instead of disposable ones.
2. Support recycling efforts in your community.
3. Clean with non-toxic products like lemons, vinegar, and baking soda instead of harmful cleaning solutions.
4. Save water by turning off the shower when you lather and the tap when brushing your teeth. Adopt a dolphin!
Dolphin Research Center
58901 Overseas Highway
Grassy Key, FL 33050
305-289-1121
Adopted in manatee!
Save the manatee club
500 N. Maitland Avenue
Maitland, FL 32751
1-800-432-5646 or 407-539-0990
Additional font used for this newsletter:
Florida Department of the Environment
Protection, Florida Marine Research Institute,
100 Eighth Avenue SE, St. Petersburg, Florida
33701-5095.