06-19-2009, 11:10 AM
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) heard a progress report Wednesday on the Manatee Management Plan. The update included reports on several management tasks under way since the approval of the plan in December 2007.
The plan sets out a schedule for the review of existing manatee-protection rules. The first action requires a review of Sarasota County's rules. Kipp Frohlich, FWC's Imperiled Species Section leader, informed the Commission that this review is moving forward.
"We notified Sarasota County in early April, asking them to form a committee to consider potential rule changes," Frohlich said. "Several meetings have taken place so far to discuss areas that might warrant some rule modification."
The committee will review the package of information and data analysis provided by the FWC and prepare a report that will be submitted to the FWC by mid-July. Frohlich said FWC staff will review the committee's report and bring any recommendations for rule changes in Sarasota County to the Commission in either September or December.
The Manatee Management Plan recommends amending the rule for commercial fishing and professional guiding permits to allow permits only for commercial net-setting. Currently, exemptions on boat speeds are available in limited locations for commercial fishermen. Frohlich said staff will meet with stakeholders and current permit holders over the next few months to discuss the issue. A possible draft rule will be presented to the Commission in September or December.
Frohlich reported that reviews have begun on county Manatee Protection Plans, starting with Collier and Duval counties. There are 13 key counties with plans that eventually will need review. FWC staff is collecting boating and manatee data from the first two counties and will revise their plans by the end of 2010, if necessary. Finally, the FWC has been working closely with federal and state agencies to refine and improve the process the FWC uses when coordinating with permitting agencies to perform manatee impact reviews.
"The Manatee Management Plan provides the framework for conserving and managing manatees in Florida for the long term, and we are confident given our past gains we can achieve that," Frohlich said.
Media Contact
Patricia Behnke (850) 251-2130
The plan sets out a schedule for the review of existing manatee-protection rules. The first action requires a review of Sarasota County's rules. Kipp Frohlich, FWC's Imperiled Species Section leader, informed the Commission that this review is moving forward.
"We notified Sarasota County in early April, asking them to form a committee to consider potential rule changes," Frohlich said. "Several meetings have taken place so far to discuss areas that might warrant some rule modification."
The committee will review the package of information and data analysis provided by the FWC and prepare a report that will be submitted to the FWC by mid-July. Frohlich said FWC staff will review the committee's report and bring any recommendations for rule changes in Sarasota County to the Commission in either September or December.
The Manatee Management Plan recommends amending the rule for commercial fishing and professional guiding permits to allow permits only for commercial net-setting. Currently, exemptions on boat speeds are available in limited locations for commercial fishermen. Frohlich said staff will meet with stakeholders and current permit holders over the next few months to discuss the issue. A possible draft rule will be presented to the Commission in September or December.
Frohlich reported that reviews have begun on county Manatee Protection Plans, starting with Collier and Duval counties. There are 13 key counties with plans that eventually will need review. FWC staff is collecting boating and manatee data from the first two counties and will revise their plans by the end of 2010, if necessary. Finally, the FWC has been working closely with federal and state agencies to refine and improve the process the FWC uses when coordinating with permitting agencies to perform manatee impact reviews.
"The Manatee Management Plan provides the framework for conserving and managing manatees in Florida for the long term, and we are confident given our past gains we can achieve that," Frohlich said.
Media Contact
Patricia Behnke (850) 251-2130