| Aardvark's Adventures in Kayak Land February/March 2008 2nd Edition |
| ANCK Group Paddles |
| Group paddles are Aardvark's time to socialize and paddle with both old and new friends. Skill levels vary so the trips are typically not very strenuous unless so noted (Advanced/Long). Join us at no charge if you have your own boat. Need a rental? We'll bring one for you at base rental rates. ($35 single/$45 tandem). We now require that you pre-pay for rentals. Sign up early. You can always cancel out and that way you are in the loop from the beginning. If you decide you don't want to go at the last minute, just let us know so we don't wait on you. Don't expect an immediate response when you sign up. The e-mails go into a bin and a message is generated, usually the Friday before the trip. |
| Interactive Trip Selector is now located here: Group Paddle Trips 1. Make sure to fill in the contact info box with an e-mail address so that we can contact you with trip details. 2. Check the boxes next to the trips that interest you. 3. When everything is filled in hit the Send Button. I have to ask that you please sign up through the webform using a valid e-mail address and please check the waiver. In order to keep these trips free, I have to keep it as simple as possible. |
| That's all for now folks. See You on the Water Aardvark's |
| Copyright ©2003 Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company All Rights Reserved |
| Upcoming Events Call Matt or Sue for details at 352-795-5650 |
The Environment
More manatees. SMC Tips for Divers and Swimmers.
More manatees. SMC Tips for Divers and Swimmers.
| Take an online boating safety course for free and get a certification for $10. Click here to Start |
| Sunset on Kings Bay & Paddler's Social |
| Thursday |
| February 25 |
| Monday |
| ALL |
| Monday |
| Long |
| Ozello Wander |
| DATE |
| NOTES |
| ALL |
| TRIP |
| Open H20 |
| Circumnavigational Trail North |
| SKILL LEVEL |
| February 21 |
| ALL |
| Gum Slough |
| Bennett's Creek |
| March 23 |
| Wednesday |
| DAY |
| February 4 |
| Monday |
| Sunday |
| March 19 |
| ALL |
| ADV Intermediate |
| Chassahowitzka |
| Sunset on Kings Bay & Paddler's Social |
| Monday |
| Intermediate |
| February 11 |
| March 31 |
| ALL |
Paddling Tips Wear Your PFD!
The meeting came and went and was considerably more civil than in the past. The major difference I think, was that a
more diverse group spoke for manatees than in the past. There is still a division along the pet or no pet line. I believe
that the willingness of the swim programs to compromise on that issue is going to be key. If they are not willing, then the
only other option is to lobby to get them out of the water entirely. If they are to continue, the issue should be about the
level of physical interaction that occurs during the swim programs. Wild animals that approach humans for any reason,
whether it's a chunk of lettuce, water, or to be petted are not exhibiting behavior typical of wild animals and it is not in
their best interests in the long run. The responsible tour operator should know this and acknowledge it as a core
principle, yet that is sorely lacking. All too often the message is: "They're just like big puppies. Scratch them under the
flipper or tickle their tummy."
Issues:
Law vs Guideline: While both USFWS and FWCC issue guidelines that include look but don't touch, neither agency will
enforce the guidelines. The USFWS states: "Avoid harassing manatees. Harassment is defined as any activity which
alters the animal’s natural behavioral characteristics: Examples of harassment include the following:
■ approaching a manatee before the animal first approaches you. (*)
■ actively pursuing/chasing (swimming after) or cornering a manatee while
swimming or diving. (*)
■ poking, probing, stabbing a manatee at any time with any object. This
includes but is not limited to a person's hand and /or feet.
■ any activity which would separate a cow from her calf or an individual from a group.(*)
■ any attempt to snag, hook, hold, grab, pinch, or ride a manatee. (*)
■ any attempt to feed a manatee.
■ touching or disturbing a resting manatee. (*)
(*) These activities are observed on an almost daily basis from both tour operators and private parties, yet
no citations are issued.
Here's a link to the FWCC Guidelines which are the best and are the norm for the rest of the State of Florida.
Manatee Interaction Guidelines from FWCC.
Carrying Capacity: How much is too much and how do you control the numbers? There is currently no way to limit
numbers of swimmers. The refuge permit is of little or no use in dealing with this issue since the only place it is required
is at the main spring. It does not address any other area of the bay. See below.
Jurisdiction: The boundaries of the refuge are limited. The refuge permit system does not apply in many of the more
popular swim spots including the 3 Sisters Spring area. The industry knows this and knows that whatever conditions
exist in their refuge permit apply only on the refuge and it is common knowledge that the reporting requirements are
widely ignored.
Solutions: It would seem that the only way to attempt to limit numbers would be to either make the entire bay including
the canals a National Wildlife Refuge, or create a manatee refuge under the auspices of the Endangered Species Act,
much like the existing sanctuaries, but with different rules to accommodate the need to limit numbers. Both the above
require federal action and are by nature bureaucratic solutions. The simplest, least bureaucratic actions would be to
simply prohibit swimming with manatees. That would most certainly have a negative economic impact and is rather
draconian. A simpler lest drastic method would be to implement and enforce a "No Touch" policy as recommended by
the Marine Mammal Commission, making the rules for manatee interaction the same as the rules for interaction with
dolphins and whales. From Marine Mammal Commission to USFWS
Whatever the solution, it must be enforceable and it must be enforced.
Here's a website that talks more about this issue: Manatee Protection.com
We've formed a group that we've named Citizen Advocates and Ecotour Operators for Wild Manatees. We now have
partners from as far away as Belize (the Friends of Swallow Cay) and as diverse as the Nail Lounge Salon in Columbus
Ohio. Midway Animal Hospital and the Jacksonville Zoo have signed on as well as two dive operators (Fun2Dive and
Native Vacations) Check out CEOs for Wild Manatees and take the pledge.
Please support the businesses listed. Be aware of misleading claims and operators who market ecotourism in one
breath and argue against the principles in another. One such company is Sunshine River Tours who advertise rules of
engagement that include a 10' stay back. Then posts this:
Febraury 29th 2008
" Special Capt Mike's Log
In my opinion, new suggestions by the Save the Manatee Club to end harassment of manatees could possibly be the
demise of my tours and other tours in 2-3 years. Read More... "
"Special Capt Mike's Log (this is my personal opinion)
Endangered or Threatened Species? This is the primary issue at hand as the great State of Florida and the Fish and
Wildlife Service review a proposed comprehensive plan for Crystal River, Florida that may affect the future of
human/manatee interaction in Citrus County.
The Save The Manatee Club is pursuing a strict “no-touch” policy and is pushing to make the Crystal River area a
National Wildlife Refuge. If this occurs, it will effectively end the manatee tour industry. You will no longer be able to
enter the water and have these gentle creatures approach and make contact with you. A valuable learning tool will be
gone forever.
The Save the Manatee Club has allowed use of their name by sensationalist videographer's whose intent is to
document manatee harassment placing the blame entirely on tour operators such as myself. They neglect to identify
the operators, however, and would rather use subtle innuendos instead. Upon viewing these videos we can see that
most are NOT associated with any tour but private parties. Why those taking the videos will not document the offender
is unknown to us, but I feel they are afraid the truth might be revealed, that most tour operators have a strict policy in
effect regarding manatee encounters.
Since the Save The Manatee Club is very well funded, it is likely they will exert enough political influence to force these
changes. If you have been on one of our tours or are anticipating coming to experience a manatee encounter, then I
ask you to pass on the word, contact our governor, Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com letting him know that you support
continuing the tour operations or, if a Florida resident to contact your senator or representative . Additionally please
contact the following individuals to let them know you support continuing tour operations:
James Kraus , Refuge Manager,
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Joyce Kleen , Wildlife Biologist
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
If you want to contribute to the well being of the manatee we suggest a donation to the Friends of Chassahowitzka
National Wildlife Refuge . Your donations can be earmarked to fund additional enforcement officers for the Crystal
River area in order to stop the harassment of manatees.
For more information please visit our manatee protection website . "
I am totally baffled as to how you can advocate manatee protection and then say that if they are protected
you'll go out of business! Also check the following links. You'll note that the offenders are identified.
Lots more on SCUBABOARD.COM concerning the ongoing harassment. Feel free to join in.
Finally a word of advice to the AMPRO Captains on the water at Magnolia on the morning of February 28th.
Being a jackass is not a good business model, it just hurts your bottom line. Those 2 paddlers with me
were overseas journalists. You made a fine impression. Way to go!
more diverse group spoke for manatees than in the past. There is still a division along the pet or no pet line. I believe
that the willingness of the swim programs to compromise on that issue is going to be key. If they are not willing, then the
only other option is to lobby to get them out of the water entirely. If they are to continue, the issue should be about the
level of physical interaction that occurs during the swim programs. Wild animals that approach humans for any reason,
whether it's a chunk of lettuce, water, or to be petted are not exhibiting behavior typical of wild animals and it is not in
their best interests in the long run. The responsible tour operator should know this and acknowledge it as a core
principle, yet that is sorely lacking. All too often the message is: "They're just like big puppies. Scratch them under the
flipper or tickle their tummy."
Issues:
Law vs Guideline: While both USFWS and FWCC issue guidelines that include look but don't touch, neither agency will
enforce the guidelines. The USFWS states: "Avoid harassing manatees. Harassment is defined as any activity which
alters the animal’s natural behavioral characteristics: Examples of harassment include the following:
■ approaching a manatee before the animal first approaches you. (*)
■ actively pursuing/chasing (swimming after) or cornering a manatee while
swimming or diving. (*)
■ poking, probing, stabbing a manatee at any time with any object. This
includes but is not limited to a person's hand and /or feet.
■ any activity which would separate a cow from her calf or an individual from a group.(*)
■ any attempt to snag, hook, hold, grab, pinch, or ride a manatee. (*)
■ any attempt to feed a manatee.
■ touching or disturbing a resting manatee. (*)
(*) These activities are observed on an almost daily basis from both tour operators and private parties, yet
no citations are issued.
Here's a link to the FWCC Guidelines which are the best and are the norm for the rest of the State of Florida.
Manatee Interaction Guidelines from FWCC.
Carrying Capacity: How much is too much and how do you control the numbers? There is currently no way to limit
numbers of swimmers. The refuge permit is of little or no use in dealing with this issue since the only place it is required
is at the main spring. It does not address any other area of the bay. See below.
Jurisdiction: The boundaries of the refuge are limited. The refuge permit system does not apply in many of the more
popular swim spots including the 3 Sisters Spring area. The industry knows this and knows that whatever conditions
exist in their refuge permit apply only on the refuge and it is common knowledge that the reporting requirements are
widely ignored.
Solutions: It would seem that the only way to attempt to limit numbers would be to either make the entire bay including
the canals a National Wildlife Refuge, or create a manatee refuge under the auspices of the Endangered Species Act,
much like the existing sanctuaries, but with different rules to accommodate the need to limit numbers. Both the above
require federal action and are by nature bureaucratic solutions. The simplest, least bureaucratic actions would be to
simply prohibit swimming with manatees. That would most certainly have a negative economic impact and is rather
draconian. A simpler lest drastic method would be to implement and enforce a "No Touch" policy as recommended by
the Marine Mammal Commission, making the rules for manatee interaction the same as the rules for interaction with
dolphins and whales. From Marine Mammal Commission to USFWS
Whatever the solution, it must be enforceable and it must be enforced.
Here's a website that talks more about this issue: Manatee Protection.com
We've formed a group that we've named Citizen Advocates and Ecotour Operators for Wild Manatees. We now have
partners from as far away as Belize (the Friends of Swallow Cay) and as diverse as the Nail Lounge Salon in Columbus
Ohio. Midway Animal Hospital and the Jacksonville Zoo have signed on as well as two dive operators (Fun2Dive and
Native Vacations) Check out CEOs for Wild Manatees and take the pledge.
Please support the businesses listed. Be aware of misleading claims and operators who market ecotourism in one
breath and argue against the principles in another. One such company is Sunshine River Tours who advertise rules of
engagement that include a 10' stay back. Then posts this:
Febraury 29th 2008
" Special Capt Mike's Log
In my opinion, new suggestions by the Save the Manatee Club to end harassment of manatees could possibly be the
demise of my tours and other tours in 2-3 years. Read More... "
"Special Capt Mike's Log (this is my personal opinion)
Endangered or Threatened Species? This is the primary issue at hand as the great State of Florida and the Fish and
Wildlife Service review a proposed comprehensive plan for Crystal River, Florida that may affect the future of
human/manatee interaction in Citrus County.
The Save The Manatee Club is pursuing a strict “no-touch” policy and is pushing to make the Crystal River area a
National Wildlife Refuge. If this occurs, it will effectively end the manatee tour industry. You will no longer be able to
enter the water and have these gentle creatures approach and make contact with you. A valuable learning tool will be
gone forever.
The Save the Manatee Club has allowed use of their name by sensationalist videographer's whose intent is to
document manatee harassment placing the blame entirely on tour operators such as myself. They neglect to identify
the operators, however, and would rather use subtle innuendos instead. Upon viewing these videos we can see that
most are NOT associated with any tour but private parties. Why those taking the videos will not document the offender
is unknown to us, but I feel they are afraid the truth might be revealed, that most tour operators have a strict policy in
effect regarding manatee encounters.
Since the Save The Manatee Club is very well funded, it is likely they will exert enough political influence to force these
changes. If you have been on one of our tours or are anticipating coming to experience a manatee encounter, then I
ask you to pass on the word, contact our governor, Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com letting him know that you support
continuing the tour operations or, if a Florida resident to contact your senator or representative . Additionally please
contact the following individuals to let them know you support continuing tour operations:
James Kraus , Refuge Manager,
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Joyce Kleen , Wildlife Biologist
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
If you want to contribute to the well being of the manatee we suggest a donation to the Friends of Chassahowitzka
National Wildlife Refuge . Your donations can be earmarked to fund additional enforcement officers for the Crystal
River area in order to stop the harassment of manatees.
For more information please visit our manatee protection website . "
I am totally baffled as to how you can advocate manatee protection and then say that if they are protected
you'll go out of business! Also check the following links. You'll note that the offenders are identified.
Lots more on SCUBABOARD.COM concerning the ongoing harassment. Feel free to join in.
Finally a word of advice to the AMPRO Captains on the water at Magnolia on the morning of February 28th.
Being a jackass is not a good business model, it just hurts your bottom line. Those 2 paddlers with me
were overseas journalists. You made a fine impression. Way to go!
Shop News
We are continuing with our Paddle with a Purpose Program in 2008. The major change is that we are now
trying to align better with the full moon. Both the February and March events will coincide with a full moon
rising early enough to be seen. Join us. The charity of the month will be the Friends of Homosassa Springs
State Wildlife Park. Register here: Paddle with a Purpose.
We'll be at 2 special events during February. The first is the Rotary Clubs Sportsman's Event at Kings Bay
Plaza from February 14th thru the 17th. The second is the Kiwanis International Festival in Beverly Hills on
February 23rd.. Our ability to do tours during that period will be limited, so reserve early.
The Aardvarks will be closing up shop for the period of March 7th thru March 14th in honor of our 20th
anniversary. It's a week's R&R and paddling in the Florida Keys (Islamorada).
New Products In Stock
Malone Autoracks Handirack.
MTI Riptide PFD
Bending Branches Glide Hybrid
We are continuing with our Paddle with a Purpose Program in 2008. The major change is that we are now
trying to align better with the full moon. Both the February and March events will coincide with a full moon
rising early enough to be seen. Join us. The charity of the month will be the Friends of Homosassa Springs
State Wildlife Park. Register here: Paddle with a Purpose.
We'll be at 2 special events during February. The first is the Rotary Clubs Sportsman's Event at Kings Bay
Plaza from February 14th thru the 17th. The second is the Kiwanis International Festival in Beverly Hills on
February 23rd.. Our ability to do tours during that period will be limited, so reserve early.
The Aardvarks will be closing up shop for the period of March 7th thru March 14th in honor of our 20th
anniversary. It's a week's R&R and paddling in the Florida Keys (Islamorada).
New Products In Stock
Malone Autoracks Handirack.
MTI Riptide PFD
Bending Branches Glide Hybrid
