Do’s and Don’ts

•Do not harass, herd, follow, disturb, wound, kill or touch marine life as it is illegal and violators may face prosecution, fines and/or jail.

•Place trash in proper receptacles & recycle.

•Spectator boats are only allowed in designated mooring areas.

•Do not anchor on, within, or over seagrass.

•Be on the lookout for sea turtles, manatee, bottlenose dolphin, and the smalltooth sawfish.

•Boaters must adhere to all posted speed zones including Manatee Slow Speed Zones

Want to learn more? Go to Sea2Shore.org, visit South Florida Museum in Bradenton (201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205) or Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium on Lido Key, Sarasota (mote.org).

See something that may affect the race?

Do you think you see manatees, dolphins or sea turtle within the

race area?

Call the Marine Observation

Hotline: (352) 214-6008

E Co Consultants, Inc.1523 8th Avenue West,Palmetto, FL 34221Phone (941) 722-0901

Sea to Shore Alliance4411 Bee Ridge Rd #490Sarasota, Florida 34233Phone (941) 661-2941www.sea2shore.org

Bradenton Area

RiverFest Regatta

February 7, 2015

EnvironmentalAwarenessPamphlet

Manatees

► Adult Manatees are typically 9-10 ft. and 1000 pounds.► Manatees are gray and swim slowly often near the surface.► Protected by Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act (§379.2431(2), Florida Statutes), Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. ► It is against the law to touch a manatee, feed a manatee, provide water, herd or harass a manatee.

Sea Turtles

► 5 species of Sea Turtles in Florida► Sizes range from 2 to 6 ft. and weigh 85 lbs. to 1,500 lbs.► Protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act and Florida's Marine Turtle Protection Act (379.2431, Florida Statutes). ► It is against the law to, possess, disturb, harm, sell, and harass Sea Turtles, nests or eggs.

Bottlenose Dolphins

► Dolphin adults are 6 to 12 ft. ► It is against federal law to feed or harass wild Dolphins. Swimming with or feeding Dolphins can be dangerous for both human and Dolphin and should not be attempted. ► Dolphins are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act under Federal Law.

To report an injured, dead, harassed or orphaned Manatee or DolphinCall: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) Cellular phone *FWC or #FWC

Smalltooth Sawfish

►The non-aggressive Smalltooth Sawfish has 24-28 unpaired teeth on each side of the 'saw' and grow up to 18 ft. ► Juveniles prefer shallow coastal waters including estuaries ► Protected by the State of Florida and the Endangered Species Act

To report a Smalltooth Sawfish sighting: Sawfish@MyFWC.com Call: 941-255-7403

To report someone disturbing a Sea Turtle nest or an injured, dead, or harassed Sea Turtle Call: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) Cellular phone *FWC or #FWC

Seagrasses

►Seagrasses are underwater plants that are easily damaged by boats.►Attention to water depths and navigational charts can help protect valuable Seagrasses. ►Seagrass communities provide many uses including forage & nursery for important fish species.

Images Used from Wikipedia.org