News
Free Manatee Materials Available for Florida Boaters & Water Users
The July 4th holiday weekend may be over for another year but the Save the Manatee Club urges resident and visitors to keep manatees in mind every day while enjoying Florida state’s waterways. The Club has a free Boating Safety Packet that provides tips to protect manatees as well as information on regulatory signs and a number for reporting an injured manatee.
Manatees are found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, bays, estuaries, and coastal water ecosystems of the southeastern United States. They can live in fresh, brackish, or salt water. They prefer waters that are about 3 – 7 feet deep. Along the coast, they tend to travel in water that is about 10 – 16 feet deep. Manatees are herbivores, feeding on a large variety of submerged, emergent, and floating plants. They are slow-moving, and usually only swim about 3 – 5 miles per hour. Because they are mammals, they need to surface to breathe air. All of these factors make them vulnerable to boat strikes.
Watercraft-related manatee mortality is the leading identified cause of manatee death in Florida. Manatees can suffer injury and death due to the crushing impact of the hull and/or the slashing of the propellers. Last year in 2016, a record 105 manatees were killed by watercraft in Florida, and many more manatees suffered non-fatal injuries from boat strikes.
The Club offers a number of free public awareness materials to help boaters protect manatees from watercraft collisions. One of these items is a Boating Safety Packet, which contains a weatherproof boat decal with a hotline number for reporting manatee injuries, deaths, or harassment. It also includes a waterproof waterway card that was created in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Laminated with a hole in the corner so it can be easily hung and kept on board a vessel, the waterway card features four simple tips to help protect manatees. Because manatees may be difficult to see, photos are provided that show what a manatee’s snout or back looks like when it breaks the surface of the water as well as a photo of a flat swirl on the water’s surface, called a “manatee footprint,” that is created when the manatee swims. The flip side of the card includes examples of regulatory signs posted for manatee protection, along with a description and a demonstration photo of a vessel operating at the speed for each zone. Information on the card is provided in English, French, Spanish, and German, so it is suited for Florida’s many visitors.
Other items that Save the Manatee Club provides free of charge include waterproof banners for boaters and public awareness signs for Florida shoreline property owners. The bright yellow banners read “Please Slow: Manatees Below,” and can be used to warn other boaters if a manatee is spotted while out on a waterway. In addition, free aluminum dock signs with a similar message are available for Florida shoreline property owners.
To get the free Boating Safety Packet, waterproof banner, or waterway sign, please send an email to Save the Manatee Club at education@savethemanatee.org or call toll free 1-800-432-JOIN (5646). Send your mailing address to get the free boating safety packet and waterproof banner. To receive the free waterway sign, please send the address where the sign will be posted and the mailing address, if different.
More Manatee Protection Tips for Boaters can be found on the Club’s website at savethemanatee.org/boatertips. The webpage includes a link to download the free Manatee Alert App for iPhones and iPads, which notifies boaters when they are approaching manatee speed zones and helps facilitate the reporting of injured manatees and manatee harassment. You can also view the Club’s new “Safe Boating Tips to Protect Manatees” video.
Gear News
Introducing the TR-80, IR-50 and CS-30 Regulators from DYNAMICNORD
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Marine Life & Conservation
Paul Watson Released as Denmark Blocks Japan’s Extradition Bid
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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