SCDNR is reminding boaters to avoid collision with various forms of marine life; specifically: to be on the lookout for endangered animals, especially now that the first manatees in SC of the season have been spotted along the coastline.

Like every other spring, manatees begin their slow migration up the coast since our water temperatures rise into the upper 60s. This timeframe may be shifted a little going forward due to global warming’s effect on ocean temperatures, so be aware of updates.

SCDNR has several tidbits of information about manatees on their website, and if you do happen to spot one, they encourage you to file a report on their Manatees in South Carolina web page.

Here are some other ways we can help protect manatees:

1. Look around for manatees before cranking your boat’s motor.
2. Never pursue, harass or play with manatees. It is bad for the manatees and is illegal.
3. Please heed “slow speed,” “no wake” and manatee warning signs, especially around docks.
4. Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare, making it easier to spot manatees below the surface.
5. Watch for large swirls in the water called footprints that may be caused by manatees diving away from the boat.
6. Use caution when navigating in shallow water and along the edge of a marsh. Manatees cannot dive away from boats in these areas.
7. Dock owners should never feed manatees or give them fresh water. This could teach the animals to approach docks, putting them at greater risk of a boat strike, and it is illegal.

UPDATE 7/20/10: Here’s a short video Dr. Ryan T Kendall shot of some manatees swimming by the boat right here in Shem Creek this past spring:

And like clockwork, manatees have been spotted in Shem Creek again; just yesterday:

“We have seen a lot of manatees inside the creek, out in the harbor, on the backside of Crab Bank Island, they do a lot of feeding back there” – Ryan Sechrist, Nature Adventures Outfitters kayak guide.

But like dolphins, manatees shouldn’t be approached by humans, whether for feeding, petting, or otherwise (unless you’re at Sea World).

“The numbers have been declining relatively. You see their backs and almost all of them are scarred by boat interactions, so the more they see humans not associated with food and comfort, the better it is for their survival,” – Dr. Shane Boylan explained, a SC Aquarium veterinarian.