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PAGE 12 - November 9, 2016

The Newscaster/Nature Coast News

Watch out for migrating manatees! this

Manatee numbers are up and these bulky aquatic mammals are on the move

month! The annual migration of Florida manatees begins in November, as the weather cools

and Manatee Awareness Month is celebrated.

Watch out for manatees swimming in Florida s rivers, bays or coastal waters. Keep

in mind this time of year manatees are searching for warmer waters to help them survive

winter s cold.

With the onset of the manatee migration, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva-

tion Commission (FWC) reminds people in boats and personal watercraft to slow down to

avoid manatees, particularly in shallow areas. Many seasonal manatee protection zones also

go into effect as of Nov. 15.

Adult manatees weigh about 1,000 pounds but can be difficult to see, especially

when just below the water s surface. Manatees are easier to spot if boaters wear polarized

sunglasses and keep a lookout for signs of manatees such as the circular "footprints" they

trace on the top of the water.

Manatee numbers are up. In February 2016, the FWC announced 6,250 manatees

were counted in an aerial survey of Florida waters. While that is good news, there have been

91 manatee fatalities caused by boat strikes so far in 2016.

The Newscaster

The

"Boaters who slow down and keep a lookout for Florida manatees are an important

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446

reason the overall population of this species is doing better," said Carol Knox, leader of the

Phone: (352) 489-4588  Fax: (727) 362-4788

FWC s Imperiled Species Management section. "Remember, it is especially important to

watch out for manatees during Manatee Awareness Month in November, as they begin theirl, Tom Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmail.comIEmail, Debbie Russell, Editor: d

Emai

Websites: thenewscaster.com · newscasterarchives.com · history.newscasterarchives.c

annual migration to warmer waters."



The FWC spends about $2 million a year on manatee conservation, including re-



search, rescue, management and public education efforts, and works in partnership with

agenciestheU.S.and WildlifeServicemanateeissues. 

 such as   Fish   on   Floridians contribute

tomanatee conservation whentheypurchase"SavetheManatee"at  -

          the     license plate  Buy



This week's featured photo is Andrew Fagan of Weirsdale with an upper slot Redfish.

aPlate.com orthemanatee 

 donate $5 for   decal.



The Redfish was caught on fresh cut mullet at Porpoise Point.

Red Snapper Expanded fishing on Veteran's Day

Fort Island Gulf Beach Park Closed Until Further  

  Notice

The recreational red snapper season in Gulf state waters will remain open for seven

The Fort Island Gulf Beach Park and Boat Ramp has been closed until repairs

additional days this November, including Nov. 11 and 12, which is Veteran s Day holiday;



can be completed from Hurricane Hermine damage. W. Fort Island Trail has been closed

and Nov. 25, 26 and 27, which is Thanksgiving weekend. The Nov. 26 date is also a saltwa-

      

just west of the Marine Science Station at the Salt River Bridge. Closure postings had been

ter license-free fishing day. The FWC expands red snapper season as a measure to offset the

placed on W. Fort Island Trail just west of US19 andthe     

 at  closure location.

economic effects of Hurricane Hermine, which hit the Gulf Coast of Florida in early Sep-



tember. Recreational fishing in Gulf waters adds $7.6 billion annually to Florida s economy.

Captains    

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39 W. Hwy. 40 · Inglis, FL · (352) 447-5610

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Orca Coolers

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On Sale Every Day

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Captains Cove Outfitter

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with Cooler Purchase

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446



Supports all who Served

Phone (352) 489-4588 Fax (727) 362-4788



Visit our Website, www.thenewscaster.com    



Email (Tom Russell, Publisher) thenewscaster1@gmail.com  



   

Email (Debbie Russell, Editor) debbienewscaster@gmail.com

All Christmas Decorations

Thanks Vets

Sale Priced - NOW

    

Holiday Gift Ideas

   

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

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th



League of Women

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

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Voters of Citrus County

old

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T RN o W  ache  v

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    

w

--------------------- lwvcc2013@gmail.com

email:



1.acrsRBfor only

5   e  , 2B   / 2   A     

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