What prohibitions or restrictions on waterborne activities are included in the emergency rule?
A8: The new manatee refuge overlaps existing seasonal manatee sanctuaries (areas where all waterborne activities are prohibited) and allows for the establishment of additional “no-entry” areas with boundaries posted in such a way as to accommodate manatee use during the winter. This will ensure that the protection areas are of a size and duration adequate to meet the varying needs of manatees using these sites. The designation also identifies restrictions on waterborne activities outside of the sanctuaries within Kings Bay that are intended to prevent manatee harassment from occurring. Manatee viewing guidelines, many of which have been in place for several years, have been incorporated into the rule. As prohibited acts, these will now be legally enforceable by federal and state marine law enforcement officers.
