Manatees are present in Tampa Bay, a significant habitat for these gentle marine mammals. The bay’s calm, warm waters and abundant food sources create suitable conditions for their survival. Tampa Bay serves as a crucial refuge, particularly during cooler months when manatees seek warmer temperatures. This environment supports their seasonal movements throughout the year.
Why Manatees Thrive in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay provides an ideal environment for manatees due to its environmental features. Manatees require warm water, especially when temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, to prevent cold stress syndrome. Outfalls from industrial facilities, primarily power plants like TECO’s Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach, discharge warm water into the bay, attracting large numbers of manatees during winter.
The bay’s shallow, sheltered waters also protect manatees from harsher open ocean conditions. An abundance of seagrass beds forms their primary food source. These seagrass meadows are essential for manatee sustenance, as adult manatees consume a significant portion of their body weight in vegetation daily.
Best Places and Times to See Manatees
Observing manatees in Tampa Bay can be a rewarding experience, particularly during specific times of the year. The TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach is a well-known public location where manatees congregate during the cooler months, typically from November 1 through April 15. This center offers boardwalks overlooking the power plant’s warm water discharge canal, providing visitors with clear views. It is a state and federally designated manatee sanctuary, offering educational exhibits and free admission.
While the TECO Manatee Viewing Center is a prime spot in winter, manatees disperse more widely throughout the bay during warmer summer months. Other natural areas where sightings are common include Fort De Soto Park, which offers opportunities for kayaking or observing from shore. While sightings are never guaranteed, visiting during winter and patiently observing quiet areas increases the chance of encountering these marine mammals.
Protecting Manatees and Responsible Viewing
Protecting manatees involves adhering to specific guidelines for safe and ethical interaction. It is against the law to touch, feed, or harass manatees, as such actions can alter their natural behavior and put them at risk. Regulations also include “no wake” zones and speed limits for boats in manatee-populated areas to reduce the risk of collisions, a significant threat to manatee populations. Violations can result in fines and imprisonment under state and federal laws, including the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.
If you encounter an injured, sick, or distressed manatee, or one that appears to be harassed, report it immediately to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922. Providing the exact location and details about the manatee’s condition can assist rescue efforts. Broader conservation efforts, such as seagrass restoration projects in Tampa Bay and manatee rescue and rehabilitation programs at facilities like ZooTampa, contribute to the long-term well-being of the species.