INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Fourth of July holiday is typically the busiest boating weekend of the year and the Save the Manatee Club is asking all Floridians and visitors who plan to be out on the waterways this weekend to stay safe, and remember to watch out for the slow-moving manatees.

Boat strikes continue to maim or kill many of these endangered marine mammals. Last year set a record for manatee deaths from boat strikes – 97. This past winter, cold stress took its toll on the manatee population – 574 manatees (greater than 10 percent of the known population) died from Jan. 1 through June 18 from all causes with the majority most likely due to cold stress.

The current oil spill crisis in the Gulf has the club deeply concerned for the welfare of the manatees, their habitat, and other wildlife.

“As the oil and gas hemorrhaging into the Gulf continues to spread like a plague, the likelihood of further disastrous effects on manatees continues to mount,” said Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist and Executive Director for Save the Manatee Club. “Manatees travel in the very areas that are threatened by the ever growing spill, and they feed on seagrasses and other vegetation that are extremely vulnerable to oil exposure. The oil is highly toxic and could sicken a manatee or cause the manatee’s death.”

Report distressed wildlife by calling toll free at 1-866-557-1401. Individuals are urged not to attempt to help injured or oiled animals on their own.

Save the Manatee Club is offering free yellow waterproof banners to Florida boaters that alert other boaters when manatees are sighted in the area, plus free new boating decals, and public awareness signs with a new design free to shoreline property owners.

The signs ask boaters to “Slow Please.” All of these, along with the Club’s new boater education packet, are available by e-mailing [email protected], by calling toll free at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646), and by contacting Save the Manatee Club by regular mail at 500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL, 32751.

“Already, 2010 has been the most devastating year for manatees,” said Rose. “This year especially, manatees need your extra vigilance and support while you’re out on the water.”

This holiday weekend, boaters are reminded to follow all posted boat speed regulations, slow down if manatees are in the vicinity, and stay in deep water channels when possible.

If you see an injured, dead, tagged or orphaned manatee, or a manatee who is being harassed, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) hotline number at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on your cellular phone, or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio.

Recreational boaters are advised to review and carry up-to-date navigation charts aboard their vessels to help avoid shallow areas where manatees feed and rest.

The FWC urges boaters to operate at slow speed within 300 feet of all authorized oil containment booms and to avoid areas where oil cleanup efforts are under way.

For more information on manatees, the Adopt-A-Manatee program, or to sign up for the Club’s free e-newsletter, visit the Club’s website at www.savethemanatee.org.