There's a manateeeee! . . . 

You've been diving for nearly 20 minutes, your eyes sweeping in every direction, your pulse quickening every time you see a moving object. So far, it's just been other divers on the same quest . . . to encounter the West Indian Manatee. As you surface to get your bearings, you hear someone on a nearby boat yell and point, "there's a manatee!" Instinctively, your legs engage, and your fins dig in, as you accelerate in that direction.

Without realizing it you are just about to blow any chance that you will see anything other that a very large tail disappearing in front of you. You are also at risk of having to pay a very large fine!

A face to face manatee encounter is something you will remember all of your life. There are a few things you need to know, however, before your first meeting with one of these big, lovable, creatures. Did I say big? I do mean BIG! These docile giants can easily attain nearly 10 feet in length and weigh around 1000 lbs. Really large ones can reach 12 feet and over 2000 lbs. A newborn tops the scales at nearly 70 lbs.

At first they may seem a little reclusive and shy, however, it may just be a normal reaction to a dozen or so "human torpedos" streaking in their direction. Chasing a manatee, by the way, is quite illegal and may result in a fine of $500 or more! Manatee are protected by both the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Florida Marine Sanctuary Act.

The key to having a great time interacting with a manatee is to let them initiate the encounter. They are quite curious and, if they do not feel threatened, they will swim right up to you. During a chance encounter, just stop swimming and relax, it's your best chance. If they are not in the mood to play, your moving towards them will only hasten their retreat. If you see manatee moving in a specific direction, you can attempt to circle in front of them, just out of sight. Stop, be still and hope you accurately predicted which way they would go.

On other days, none of this is necessary. It seems like there is a manatee in every way you turn, and they all want to play! Before the frolicking begins, there are a few more things you should know:

• You must never grab and hold a manatee or attempt to ride them. You also must not poke or prod them with your hands, feet. or any object
• If you see a manatee that appears to be unconscious, face down on the bottom, resist the temptation to bring them to the surface and start CPR! They often sleep on the bottom and rise every 20 minutes or so for a breath of air. Never touch them when they are resting or asleep.
• Do not attempt to encircle a manatee with a group of divers and be especially careful around mothers and calves. If you accidentally separate them, the mother may lose communication and be unable to relocate her calf. 
• Do not feed manatee
• This one is VERY IMPORTANT - Sanctuaries, marked by buoys, have been established to provide refuge areas for the manatee. Pursuing a manatee or just entering in a sanctuary will result in a fine.

Diving and snorkeling with manatee is sure to be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience if it is done responsibly. Join the staff of Choo Choo Diving & Aquatic Center for our trip to Crystal River in February. We will provide additional information and tips so you are sure to have an amazing experience!

Want to know more about manatee? Visit these informative websites:

SaveTheManatee.org

Wikipedia Manatee Page