CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — In Citrus County, an area that thrives on tourism, businesses are ready to welcome guests back after back-to-back hurricanes.
About a month ago, downtown Crystal River looked entirely different after Hurricane Helene brought flood waters that damaged businesses, but as the area recovers, they want the public to know one thing: they’re open for business.
“It’s our livelihood. Tourism really feeds this county,” boat captain Brody Males said.
On the waters of Kings Bay, Males keeps a watchful eye out to see if he can spot a manatee.
“We do have a very good charter fishing industry and a good scallop season here as well, but manatees are definitely the bread and butter you could say of the county,” said Males, a captain with Fun 2 Dive. “It definitely keeps us afloat.”
The sea cows, as Males says, play a crucial role in the local economy. With plenty of manatees, tour businesses are able to reap the profits.
“Folks coming in, that’s the lifeblood of Citrus County,” said Mike Engiles, owner of Crystal River Watersports. “It’s money from the outside that’s going to provide us the means for rebuilding the town, rebuilding the businesses and for all the employees to be able to get their homes settled again.”
But it’s not just about giving boat tours to see the animals, it’s also about teaching the public about their lifestyle and natural habitat, such as the exhibit at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
In fact, one manatee had to be rescued after Hurricane Helene.
“When the storm surge comes up, they find new areas with new grass and they’re going, ‘this is awesome,’” said Brier Ryver, park ranger at Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. “However, the storm water does recede and the manatees can end up in some real funky places. We’ve had them in parking lots, in supermarket ditches and all that.”
Thankfully, the manatee was rescued with the help of Florida Fish and Wildlife.
With winter fast approaching, business owners and tour operators are prepping for a busy season ahead.
“The overall population is still doing very well,” said Males. “Last year, we had over one thousand animals in the bay on a peak winter day, so I’m assuming we’ll have that or more. We have had a lot of newborn babies.”
Manatee season will begin on Friday, Nov. 15.
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