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6 Community Updates
Boaters Encouraged to Watch for Manatees and Sea Turtles in all Coastal Waters
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With sea turtle and manatee sightings on the rise on Georgia’s coast, boaters should be on the lookout for these big and rare animals. Boat strikes are a leading cause of sea turtle strandings and manatee injuries and deaths. Manatees and all sea turtle species found in Georgia are protected by federal and state laws. Tips on what to watch for in the coast’s murky waters diff er. A “footprint” of swirls may mark a 1-ton manatee underwater. A 300-pound loggerhead sea turtle may show only its head when it surfaces. Sea turtles spend more time on the surface in spring, which warms their bodies but puts them more at-risk. What can boaters do? Be vigilant, be ready to slow down or steer clear, and if they do run into a sea turtle or manatee, stand-by and immediately contact the DNR at 800-2-SAVE-ME (800-272-8363). This provides biologists the best chance to help these animals and gather data useful in conserving them. Boaters will not be charged if operating their boat responsibly and the collision was an accident. State Sea Turtle Program Coordinator Mark Dodd of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources emphasized that sea turtles are not limited to the ocean side of barrier islands. In 2017, about 29 percent of the sea turtles found dead or injured on the beach or strand in Georgia suff ered injuries consistent with being hit by a boat. Close-up of a manatee being fi tted with a tracking device, which allows researchers Manatees share a similar problem. These slow-moving mammals to learn more about their movements. swim just below the surface, often putting them in harm’s way for Photo provided by Sea to Shore Alliance, under USFWS research permit MA37808A oncoming boats. Watercraft collisions caused 25 percent of the manatee mortalities documented in the state since 2000.
These massive marine mammals migrate from Florida to Georgia each spring, attracted by abundant marsh grass and other aquatic vegetation. Some move back and forth between the states through summer, until colder water temperatures in fall draw them south to Florida for the winter.
But from April to October, manatees occur in all tidal waters throughout coastal Georgia.
“We’ve had numerous sightings in the Brunswick area already, and water temperatures are warm enough for manatees coastwide,” George said. “They could be anywhere from St. Marys to Savannah at this point. Boaters should be aware.”
Heeding low-speed and no-wake zones, particularly around docks where manatees eat algae growing on the structures, will reduce collision risks, as will sticking to the deeper channels when boating in tidal rivers and creeks.
The City of Savannah partnered with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant to form an advisory committee of community leaders for the city’s new Green Infrastructure to Green Jobs Initiative. This program will create three urban tree nurseries on vacant FEMA lots in Savannah neighborhoods.
A portion of the plantings will be grown for city use in rights of way, while the remaining trees will become permanent green infrastructure, creating pocket parks for the enjoyment of surrounding communities.
Hurricanes Matthew and Irma caused signifi cant damage to Savannah’s tree canopy, with Hurricane Matthew costing over $13 million in tree debris removal and unknown losses in water storage from mature trees. The City of Savannah owns over 350 fl ood-prone FEMA lots that are underutilized community assets. As coastal Georgia experiences extremes in weather, municipal governments are looking to green infrastructure, such as tree canopies, to improve their resilience to major storm events.
The plantings will be paired with comprehensive green jobs training for unemployed and underemployed residents of Savannah, helping low-lying, low-income neighborhoods reduce their fl ood risk while providing STEM-based workforce development. We’re working for you! • Protects, defends and restores the watershed by monitoring pollution and polluters. • Talks with legislators about bills that could better protect the watershed. • The 14,000 miles of the Altamaha watershed includes Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ohopee and the Golden Isles.
We can’t do it without you, become a member now! www.altamahariverkeeper.org
Fishable Swimmable Drinkable Water!
Presented by the Georgia DNR and Chatham County Marine Patrol This is a Georgia approved class, required for anyone born after January 1, 1998 to operate any vessel on Georgia waters. The course is instructed by CCMP and GA DNR Resource Rangers. It covers all required equipment and Georgia boating laws. All students must pass an exam and provide their social security number to receive the ID card.
3rd Saturday every month Must register at www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com
Savannah Mall Community Meeting Room 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (912) 264-7237
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