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By Jennette’s Pier Staff

It’s that time of year again when manatees start to migrate south back to warmer Florida waters and last weekend, a half dozen of these gentle, giant mammals were spotted in Southern Shores.

According to Marina Doshkov, Marine Mammal Stranding coordinator for Jennette’s Pier, current water temperatures are safe, but she fears those could drop by mid-week if colder air moves in as forecasted.

“Hopefully, they are heading south,” she said Monday. “Temps are currently safe but borderline for manatees.

“The Currituck Sound was 69 degrees Saturday, but by midweek, temperatures may be dropping,” Doshkov said.

Doshkov asks everyone to report manatee sightings to the Outer Banks Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 252-455-9654.

She also offers the following advice:

• Practice passive observation: Look at manatees from a distance and above water. Avoid touching, feeding or giving water to manatees so not to encourage them to stay in area waters while temperatures drop.
• Be mindful of noise and splashing. Manatees may be resting and not aware of your presence, so loud noises or activity could startle them.
• Don’t block their path. Avoid chasing or blocking manatees that are traveling.
• Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and to help see below the water’s surface. Look for “footprints” on the water’s surface made by manatee tails or their nostrils as they surface.
• Slow your vessel down especially around marinas. Reducing speed gives you a greater chance to avoid manatees and for them to avoid your vessel.

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