Boating News
Boaters decry manatee protection measures
By Ivona Lerman, [email protected]
DAYTONA BEACH -- More than 50 locals, mostly fishermen and boaters, turned out Thursday night to complain about new manatee regulations that would allow incidental killings of manatees in Florida.
The proposed regulations would likely ease permitting of boats and marinas along most of the Atlantic Coast, but not before manatees are given better protection in several regions, including the Halifax and Tomoka rivers in Volusia County.
Local boaters, who have fought manatee speed zones for years, protested a possibility of new regulations in Volusia County. At times, their comments were charged with emotion against environmental groups, who have pushed for better protection of endangered sea cows.
"Interest groups are using manatees to control Florida growth," said Ron Zoske, owner of Sunrise Harbor Apartments in South Daytona. "We need to take a hard look at the crooks, who are trying to destroy our state."
Thursday's hearing before the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was the fourth in a series of meetings across the state held to discuss proposed rules.
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