Many of Florida's endangered manatees bear grotesque evidence of their encounters with motorboats - gashes left across their backs by whirling propellers. Sadly 40% of Manatees who are hit by a motorboat die from contact with the propellers. There are enough endangered manatee deaths that we don't need to contribute any more to it.

Sign the petition to enforce that propeller guards be required on all motorboats that intend to boat in all areas and waterways leading to areas where Manatees reside during the Winter months of November to March.

"Almost every animal we see in the wild has been struck by a boat, sometimes multiple times," said Robert Turner, Florida manatee recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Motorboat propellers are comprised of blades constructed of a heavy duty metal or alloy. These blades have tips that are faired to a sharp edge that when in motion, become deadly. There are already guards that are required in the operation of common every day equipment and machinery, would it stand to reason that such a guard be required for something as lethal as a spinning propeller?

However, if a motorboat is driving over the boat speed limit in manatee protection areas, no amount of propeller guards will help. A lot of manatee deaths involved with motorboats are from 'blunt force trauma', so please, please, please always pay attention to posted signs.

This will not helpprevent ALL manatee deaths but it is a start! Please share, share, share and help be the voice they don't have and consider making a donation to support the cause! Donate at www.MagnificentManatee.com. You can also have fun and win great prizes with raffles for the cause by going to www.facebook.com/groups/MagnificentManatee.