Recently, Miami-Dade commissioners approved a sea trial permit for the 2022 Int'l Miami Boat Show on a manatee-protected area, despite having received a recommendation against it from Lee Hefty, director of the Miami-Dade county’s Environmental Resources Management Department (DERM)

Sea trials mean that motorboats, speed boats, and yachts will be tested in what is a protected-manatee area. In other words, people will be test-driving hundreds of boats during February, peak manatee season in Biscayne Bay. 

Temporary docks have been placed in an area where manatees feed and rest on a daily basis. The area will be heavily affected by boat traffic disrupting many species already in distress due to the loss of seagrass in the area. Hefty, director of the Miami-Dade county’s Environmental Resources Management Department (DERM) said he is very concerned about the manatees that need to be able to rest, feed, and take care of their young in this area.

Why did Miami-Dade Commissioners decide to approve the sea trial permit? 

This is a federally protected area where manatees feed, breed, and take care of their young. It is unacceptable that this location was approved and sea trial permits were given unanimously by Miami Dade County Commissioners. 150 designated sea trial vessels and 650 boats slips have been approved for this year's event.

Miami boat show can happen without sea trials, just like it has been done in the past. We ask mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade commissioners, and the chief bay officer Irela Bague to do what's right and protect our bay and manatees by pushing the Miami Boat Show to relocate or cancel this year's sea trials.

According to a report released by FWC over 1100 manatees died in Florida during 2021 (about 15% of the total population). Biscayne Bay is on the verge of collapse, and with it, the manatee population.

Over the past 20 years, pollution, nutrient-filled canal discharge, coastal development, and climate change have contributed to almost 90% bay-wide loss of seagrasses in Biscayne Bay.

It is time for our representatives to be accountable and stop selling out to private interests.

#donttrashourtreasure

Nonprofit organization @CleanThisBeachUp raised this issue and they are documenting to the best of their abilities what is currently happening.