Florida unveils new manatee & sea turtle decals benefitting conservation efforts

New 2023 Manatee Decal. Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

In a press release shared on July 10, 2023, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is unveiling its new 2023 manatee and sea turtle decals. The new editions of these high-quality collectible stickers are released every July, being made available via a $5 donation at your local tax collector's office — with all proceeds going to help fund manatee and sea turtle conservation efforts.

“Proudly displaying your manatee or sea turtle decal is a great way to raise awareness about challenges facing these iconic Florida species,” said Ron Mezich, who leads the FWC’s Imperiled Species Management Section. “And even more importantly, all proceeds from the decals go directly to helping these species and conserving their habitats.”

The new waterproof stickers feature beautiful original artwork and have been designed to look appealing on a vehicle's bumper or side of a boat, the release states. They also suggest alternative places to slap your sticker, including laptops, water bottles, and coolers.
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The new decals offer sticker collectors and conservation enthusiasts alike a fun way to support the research, rescue, and management efforts that conserve these species, while also spreading the word about the challenges they face.

New 2023 Sea Turtle Decal. Photo by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The decals spotlight important conservation issues, such as:

• The “Healthy Manatees Need Healthy Habitat” decal displays a manatee mom and calf resting in a thriving submerged aquatic vegetation bed. Manatees depend on available forage as they are herbivores that consume a variety of submerged, emergent, and floating plants. While boating in Florida’s waterways, you can protect manatee habitat by avoiding shallow grass beds.
• The “Healthy Turtles Need Healthy Habitats” decal features a green sea turtle in a lush green seagrass bed. Green turtles depend on vegetation such as seagrasses and seaweeds as a primary food source. These plants need clear, clean water to grow in Florida’s estuaries and lagoons. When on the water or at the beach, you can help keep coastal waters clean and clear by stashing your trash and disposing of it.

Not a fan of the new decals? You can also support these species by purchasing a "Save the Manatee" or "Helping Sea Turtles Survive" license plate at your local Tax Collector's office. For more information about how to get involved, you can also visit the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida's website at wildlifeflorida.org.

Learn more about how to help conserve manatees and sea turtles at MyFWC.com/Manatee or MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle. To view and order past editions of decals — from 1992 through 2022 — simply type “decals” in the search box at MyFWC.com.
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If you see a sick or injured manatee or sea turtle, please call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Article by Rachael Volpe