TALLAHASSEE -- On Feb. 5, Commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to approve proposed rule amendments to manatee protection zones in Indian River County for advertising. Staff will initiate a formal comment period and conduct one or more public meetings before the proposals are brought back before the Commission for a final hearing.

Three Manatee Protection Zone rule amendments were included in the proposal: Sebastian Inlet Idle Speed Zone, Vero Beach Power Plant No Entry Zone, and Prang Creek Unregulated Area.

The FWC worked with Indian River County and other stakeholders to review potential changes to the rule, from the Sebastian Inlet to the St. Lucie County line. Two public workshops were held to provide the public, stakeholders and officials with the opportunity to ask questions and share information with FWC staff.

This activity is part of the statewide manatee management plan approved in 2007, which directs staff to periodically review existing manatee protection zones to see if changes are needed.

Manatee protection zones are supported by data and are established after the FWC evaluates all available information, including manatee distribution, vessel use patterns and waterway characteristics. The zones help reduce the risk of injuries to manatees from boats by requiring slower boat speeds in areas regularly used by manatees.

For more information on manatee protection zones, including maps and descriptions of the existing zones, visit MyFWC.com/Manatee.