Historically, these zones have tended to be used in aggregation areas where manatees occur in high numbers. Education - Includes both general awareness programs in schools and mass media as well as more specific information on how to see and avoid manatees and where the speed zones occur. Most planning of where to site marinas and boat ramps is done at the local level. Local, state, and federal government agencies do permitting of docks, ramps, and marinas. The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as owners and stewards of state owned submerged lands, also makes decisions on marinas and docks.
Most law enforcement is done by the state with significant contributions by some local governments.
The federal government also has a small but active enforcement role. Technological approaches to manatee avoidance - Address use of electronics, satellites, and other relatively recent developments in detecting and avoiding manatees. Very little has been done in this area to date although there are research projects under way in some areas. Research - Primarily provides the knowledge to make management strategies more effective and may suggest new strategies as we learn more about manatees and boats.