News Releases

Miami-Dade County gets improved boating signs

News Release

Monday, January 09, 2012

Media contact: Jorge Pino, 561-723-1417

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has finished work to remove, repair and install waterway markers (signs) in state-adopted manatee protection and boating safety zones in Miami-Dade County. The work began in October and wrapped up in December.

"There are several areas around the county where enforcement had been difficult because the signs were missing or damaged," said Capt. Mark Hodges, of the FWC's Division of Law Enforcement. "After an education period, officers will issue citations for speed violations within the zones." 

The FWC replaced signs that had been damaged by storms, deteriorated from age or were in disrepair due to vandalism. The work also included the removal of unpermitted and illegal signs, which cause operator confusion in the state-adopted zones. In addition, signs that displayed incorrect regulatory information were either removed or replaced, and some markers were relocated to accurately post zones for manatee protection and boating safety.

"It's important to slow down vessel traffic in areas that manatees frequent and that are congested with boats to adequately protect the safety of the boating public and manatees," Hodges said. "With the zones more clearly marked, the public is more likely to follow the regulations."

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating to access state manatee protection and boating safety regulations and maps.