Read the latest headlines straight from the Associated Press. The endangered West Indian manatee sparks a remarkable amount of controversy and rancor for an animal that does little more than loll around Florida s waterways like a giant baked potato. Few species stoke emotional fires like the manatee, and the flames promise to burn hotter as the federal government ponders the creation of manatee refuges and sanctuaries throughout the state. In one camp are manatee advocates, led by the Save the Manatee Club, whose members continue to seek greater restrictions on boating. In the other camp are boaters, many of whom genuinely like manatees but who insist the animal is not as imperiled as advocates say.
Boaters also say existing speed zones are sufficient to help the manatee population recover.
Both sides have filed lawsuits. Advocates accuse the state and federal governments of not doing enough to protect manatees. Boaters accuse them of doing too much. In the settlement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must establish manatee refuges and sanctuaries throughout the state. Water-related activities in refuges would be restricted between Nov. 15 and March 31.