At the same time, they are looking at doubling speeding fines to prevent boaters from hitting the endangered sea cows. The proposals, which are backed by Gov. Jeb Bush, come as the state grapples with a lawsuit that charges it hasn't done enough to protect manatees. A state agency this week will consider a possible settlement that would lead to restrictions on boating in some waterways. Some lawmakers are calling for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to reject the settlement. If you don't enforce the laws you have on the books, any settlement or new law that you write isn't worth the paper it is written on.
Environmental groups support efforts to increase law enforcement.
Bush helped spark a statewide debate about manatee protection last year when he held up permission for a proposed yacht club because Sarasota County did not have a plan for protecting the sea cows. Bush's move came 11 years after the state ordered 13 counties, including Sarasota, to draw up such plans. Duval was one of only four counties that had received approval of a manatee protection plan, which includes limiting boat speeds in areas where manatees congregate. That summit led to recommendations for increasing law enforcement. Also, the bill calls for setting aside money from boat registrations for such things as developing equipment that would help boaters detect and avoid manatees.