An unexpected sighting of a manatee basking in the warm waters of the Chesapeake Bay has caught the attention of environmental officials. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network recently confirmed this remarkable encounter, which took place near the convergence of the St. Mary’s River, where the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay meet.
Dean Naujoks, the Lower Potomac Riverkeeper, noted that this year’s higher salinity levels in the river have attracted various marine species, including dolphins, bullsharks, skate, and crabs. However, even Naujoks was taken by surprise, as he momentarily forgot that manatees are known to traverse these waters as well.
Describing the area as a thriving part of the Chesapeake Bay, Naujoks emphasized the rich diversity of wildlife that frequents these waters for feeding, breeding, and resting.
Manatee sightings are so rare in the region that even locals sometimes struggle to identify the barrel-chested creatures with their distinctive whiskers and pizza-pan tails, according to Jennifer Dittmar, the director of animal rescue at the National Aquarium. The aquarium received a report on Saturday about the manatee sighting via its hotline.
Manatees possess the unique ability to transition between fresh, brackish, and saltwater environments, although they require temperatures of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive. While they are typically found in the waterways of Florida, they have been known to venture north to the Chesapeake Bay during the summer months.
This occurrence is not entirely unprecedented. In 2009, a young manatee named “Ilya” was spotted in a marina near Havre de Grace, as reported by The Baltimore Sun. Another Florida manatee known as “Chessie” has been exploring the Chesapeake Bay since 1994. Chessie’s presence has contributed to the development of protocols for handling manatee strandings and rescues in northern regions.
Recent years have witnessed an increase in manatees venturing beyond Florida waters, although the reasons for this behavior are not always clear. These marine mammals are vulnerable to red algae blooms, and their natural habitats are experiencing rising ocean temperatures due to climate change. Instances of high water temperatures, such as the readings of 100.2 and 101.1 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in Florida’s Manatee Bay in July, contribute to their movement.
The abundant seagrasses in the Chesapeake Bay could also be a draw for manatees, as they are herbivores that rely on these plants for sustenance. The thriving underwater grasses in the bay, which experienced a 12% increase in 2022, have been attributed to favorable conditions resulting from below-average rainfall and cooler temperatures linked to the La Niña climate phenomenon.
Manatees are listed as a threatened species and are protected by federal regulations, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. Florida enforces boating speed zones to safeguard the slow-moving manatees and their habitats.
The responsibility for manatee management falls under the purview of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service. Occasionally, federal authorities coordinate efforts to rescue distressed manatees and return them to Florida.
In the event of a manatee sighting, experts recommend enjoying the encounter while ensuring that vessels are in neutral and moving slowly until the animal has passed. Capturing photos and videos can assist agencies in identifying the manatee. Sightings can be reported to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources or the National Aquarium, both of which maintain hotlines for such reports.
Dittmar advises waiting a few hours before posting photos online to avoid drawing crowds to the animal’s location in real-time, particularly if it is in a marina.