Important Manatee Dates


1893	-	Protection established under Florida law (CH.4208.94)

1907	-	Florida law (Ch 370.12) imposed fines for killing or molesting manatees $500

1953	-	Amended 1907 statutes to allow capture of manatees for research/education purposes

1966	-	Endangered Species Preservation Act (P.L. 89-669; 80 Stat.926) listed manatees as an endangered species

1967	-	First federal efforts towards manatee protection

1969	-	Endangered Species Conservation Act (P.L. 92-153; 83 Stat. 275) regulated importation of listed species. Act supersedes the 1966 Act

1972	-	Marine Mammal Protection Act - manatee designated as a marine mammal, Act prohibits taking any marine mammal. Fine for violating act - up to $20,000 and/or one year in jail

1973	-	Endangered Species Act - superseded the 1969 act and increased federal protection of manatees; Act made it a violation to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or collect endangered species. Authorized cooperative agreements between states and the federal government with funding management, research and law enforcement

1976	-	Cooperative endangered species agreement between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Florida

1976	-	Fish and Wildlife Service designate critical habitat for Florida manatee

1977	-	Cooperative endangered species agreement between the State of Georgia and the State of Florida

1978	-	Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act - (Chapter 370.12(2) - declares entire state as a refuge and sanctuary for manatee, regulated boat speeds in 13 manatee aggregation areas

1983	-	Florida Department of Natural Resources Manatee Program began

1989	-	Fish and Wildlife Service manatee recovery plan

1989	-	Florida governor and cabinet identify 13 counties for manatee protection plan development

1990	-	Manatee license plate authorized - Fl Statues Ch. 320.08058

1992	-	Manatee decal voluntary contribution campaign began - vessel registrants donate to help manatees. A decal is distributed for each $5 donation. Campaign is held in June each year at the Florida County Tax Collection offices

1994	-	Manatee license plate re-authorized

1996	-	Fish and Wildlife Service published last manatee recovery plan

1998	-	Department of Environmental Protection in lawsuit settlement agreement with Save the Manatee Club agreed to consult with all future variance requests as well as consider the need to amend rule (2N-22.003, FAC) that allows for permits to be issued from manatee protection rules

1999	-	Bureau of Protected Species Management moved from Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection to newly formed Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

1999	-	National Marine Manufactures Association requests down listing of manatee from "endangered" to "protected"

2000	-	Save the Manatee Club and 17 other environmental groups file lawsuits against Florida Fish and Wildlife and US Corps of Engineers

2000	-	Governor establishes moratorium on construction of docks in Florida

2000	-	US Fish and Wildlife Service proposes manatee sanctuaries and refuges in Florida