Resident Vs Tourist Attitudes and Knowledge of Manatee Zones

	Speakers:
	John Jett Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism University of Florida 320 FLG Gainesville, FL 32611-8208 352-392-4042 jjett@ufl.edu John Confer Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism University of Florida 300 FLG Gainesville, FL 32611-8208 352-392-4042x1322 jconfer@hhp.ufl.edu
	Description: The West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus), a federally listed endangered marine mammal in Florida, has experienced a steady rise in the number of fatalities from boat strikes since the 1970s. The Florida Manatee Recovery Plan, coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, relies on, among others, the utilization of waterway signs as a means of informing boaters of manatee zones. Increasing numbers of boats entering Florida's waterways necessitate evaluation of user awareness of boating rules and regulations as they pertain to posted manatee zones. This study investigated whether boaters within the Timicuan Preserve, Jacksonville, Florida, who were nearby residents were more or less likely to be aware of posted manatee zones than were non-residents. Additionally, the study evaluated how resident and non resident visitors viewed resource protection in terms of limits and restrictions. Boaters who live within 10 miles of the preserve demonstrated no difference in manatee zone awareness than non-residents. Similarly, nearby residents indicated no difference in how they viewed resource protection in terms of use limits or restrictions than do non-residents. Natural-area recreation and tourism is becoming increasingly popular in Florida. Consequently, a growing potential exists for conflict between resource users, in this case boaters, and mandates such as the Endangered Species Act. To best administer a management plan, it is necessary to periodically assess the efficacy of resource management communication, and to determine how various users view protection of the resource. This study demonstrates that manatee zone postings may not be effective enough to accommodate increasing numbers of boats within Florida's waterways. I intend to discuss the Timicuan Preserve setting, manatee zone management within the area, the overall format of the study and implications of the findings. Learning will be facilitated through Powerpoint slides and personal narration.