Manatee Awareness Month
November 1 - November 30
About Manatee Awareness Month
Manatee Awareness Month takes place every November, drawing attention to the gentle marine mammals known as manatees and the conservation challenges they face. Originally declared in Florida in 1979, the observance highlights the threats to manatee populations, including boat strikes, habitat loss, and water pollution, while encouraging the public to support protection efforts.
What is Manatee Awareness Month?
Manatee Awareness Month is a November observance focused on educating the public about manatees, their ecological importance, and the ongoing threats to their survival. The campaign is led by the Save the Manatee Club, co-founded by singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and former Florida Governor Bob Graham, alongside state wildlife agencies and marine conservation organisations. Throughout November, events include educational programmes, volunteer opportunities at manatee habitats, fundraising campaigns, and public outreach designed to protect these slow-moving herbivores often called “sea cows.”
When is Manatee Awareness Month?
Manatee Awareness Month runs from Sunday, 1 November to Monday, 30 November 2026. November was chosen because it is the time of year when Florida manatees begin migrating to warmer waters, making them more visible and more vulnerable to boat traffic in coastal waterways and springs.
Why Manatee Awareness Month Matters
Florida manatees face persistent threats that make ongoing conservation efforts essential. An estimated 25% of all manatee deaths in Florida are caused by collisions with boat hulls and propellers, and approximately 80% of living manatees carry scars from such encounters. In 2021 and 2022, Florida experienced an unprecedented manatee mortality event, with over 1,100 deaths recorded in 2021 alone, largely attributed to starvation caused by the loss of seagrass beds due to water pollution. While the West Indian manatee was reclassified from “endangered” to “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act in 2017, many conservationists argue that the reclassification was premature given the ongoing habitat degradation. Manatee Awareness Month provides a vital platform to keep these issues in the public eye and to advocate for stronger protections, cleaner waterways, and responsible boating practices.
How to Get Involved in Manatee Awareness Month
There are many meaningful ways to support manatee conservation during November and throughout the year:
- Adopt a manatee – The Save the Manatee Club offers a symbolic adoption programme where your donation supports manatee research, rescue operations, and habitat protection. Each adoption comes with a photo and biography of a specific manatee.
- Follow manatee speed zones – If you boat in Florida or other manatee habitats, always obey posted speed zones and watch for manatees in shallow, warm waters. Slow speeds give both boaters and manatees more time to avoid collisions.
- Report injured or distressed manatees – In Florida, call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC if you spot a manatee that appears injured, orphaned, or in distress. Quick reporting can save lives.
- Reduce water pollution – Fertiliser runoff is one of the primary causes of algal blooms that kill the seagrass manatees depend on for food. Reduce your use of lawn fertilisers, properly dispose of household chemicals, and support local water quality initiatives.
- Visit a manatee viewing area – Several Florida locations, including Blue Spring State Park, Crystal River, and the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, offer opportunities to observe manatees in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
- Volunteer with conservation organisations – The Save the Manatee Club, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and local marine sanctuaries welcome volunteers for habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and public education events.
- Share awareness on social media – Post facts, photos, and conservation stories using the hashtags #ManateeAwareness and #SaveTheManatee to help reach people who may not know about the challenges manatees face.
History of Manatee Awareness Month
The story of Manatee Awareness Month begins in 1979, when Florida Governor Bob Graham first declared November as a month for manatee recognition. At the time, Florida was beginning to establish manatee protection zones in response to growing concern about the species’ declining numbers. The manatee population in the late 1960s had dwindled to just a few hundred animals, and boat strikes were taking a devastating toll.
In 1981, Graham co-founded the Save the Manatee Club with musician Jimmy Buffett, who had written the song “A Pirate Looks at Forty” partly inspired by his love of marine life. The organisation quickly became the leading voice for manatee conservation, advocating for speed zones, habitat protection, and research funding. Florida manatees had been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1966, and the Save the Manatee Club worked tirelessly to enforce and expand protections.
Despite this early advocacy, Manatee Awareness Month was not officially recognised by the state of Florida until 2005, when the legislature formalised the November designation. Since then, the observance has grown from a Florida-focused campaign into a national and even international effort, with marine conservation events and educational programmes held in schools, aquariums, and nature centres across the country. The recent mortality crisis has given the observance renewed urgency, drawing attention from national media and policymakers alike.
Noteworthy Facts About Manatees
- Manatees are the closest living relatives of elephants, despite their vastly different habitats. The two species share a common ancestor that lived over 50 million years ago.
- An adult Florida manatee can weigh up to 1,200 pounds (544 kg) and measure up to 13 feet (4 metres) in length, yet they are entirely herbivorous, consuming 10-15% of their body weight in aquatic vegetation daily.
- Manatees have no natural predators. Their primary threats are all human-caused: boat strikes, habitat loss, water pollution, and entanglement in fishing gear.
- The current Florida manatee population is estimated at approximately 7,500 to 8,800 animals, a significant recovery from the low of just a few hundred in the 1960s, though recent die-offs have raised alarm.
- Manatees must surface to breathe every three to five minutes when active, though they can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes when resting, which makes them vulnerable in busy waterways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Manatee Awareness Month?
Manatee Awareness Month is a November observance that raises awareness about manatees, the threats they face from boat strikes and habitat loss, and the conservation efforts needed to protect them.
When is Manatee Awareness Month in 2026?
Manatee Awareness Month runs throughout November 2026, from Sunday, 1 November to Monday, 30 November.
Why is Manatee Awareness Month in November?
November marks the beginning of manatee migration season in Florida, when the animals move to warmer waters as temperatures drop. This makes them more visible to the public and more vulnerable to boat traffic, making it an ideal time to promote awareness and safe boating practices.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Manatee Awareness Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #ManateeAwareness and #SaveTheManatee2026 on social media. The more people who understand the challenges manatees face, the stronger the push for conservation and cleaner waterways.
Related Awareness Days
- World Whale Day – Celebrated in February, this day raises awareness about whale conservation and the broader threats facing marine mammals worldwide.
- International Mother Earth Day – Held on 22 April, Earth Day brings global attention to environmental protection, including the waterways and habitats that manatees depend on.
- National Bison Day – Also in November, this day celebrates the American bison and the conservation efforts that brought the species back from near extinction.
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