The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated an area in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge as a manatee resting area.
The agency says many manatee mothers and calves have been resting and nursing in the area around Banana Island. The designated area encompasses about four acres in the refuge.
As a result, swimmers and boaters must avoid the area, Officials said the area will be marked by standard refuge markers and float lines.
The area is expected to provide about 30 summer manatees with a habitat area that is free of disturbance. Officials said that over the past ten years, they've seen an average of 17 manatees in the area between April and October.