The manatees, of course, are endangered. Scientists estimate that between 2,200 and 2,500 manatees remain in Florida and this year alone 175 of them have died. The fight to protect manatees has been bitter and drawn out. More than a decade ago, the state ordered 13 coastal counties to develop and implement manatee protection plans. Finally, on Tuesday, Duval County's plan will go into effect.
Boats are an enemy of the slow moving manatees and the plan restricts boat speed in certain areas.
It's a shame that the plan was so long in coming. It's a shame that only three other counties have come up with plans of their own. Hopefully, that's about to change. At a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, Gov. Jeb Bush said he was tired of the dilly-dallying. The Cabinet, he said, won't approve any more boat slips in counties that don't have manatee protection plans.