He Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) prohibited the use of aquatic motorboats, known as “jet skis”in the Black Sea sector of Jobos Bay, in Salinasas a measure to protect the manatee Antillean, whose main cause of mortality continues to be impact with boats.
The ban was established by an administrative order that prevents the use, operation, circulation, parking and transit of water motor vehicles in that area of high ecological value.
The order, however, maintains authorized the transit of fishing vessels up to 25 feet in length, “as long as they operate prudently and in accordance with current regulations”.
The measure was announced during a visit by the governor Jennifer Gonzalez Colon and the secretary of the DRNA, Waldemar Quilesto the Salinas Marina, an area prone to incidents of manatee mortality.
The DRNA maintained that the order seeks to reduce the risks to the Antillean manatee. In addition, the agency announced the start of an educational campaign aimed at recreational boat operators and the general public to promote responsible navigation and reinforce knowledge about the areas frequented by manatees.
According to the DRNA, it is currently estimated that between 500 and 600 Antillean manatees live in Puerto Rico.
According to the agency, although statistics reflect a reduction in the number of deaths reported during 2026, collisions with boats continue to represent the main threat to the species.
People who fail to comply with the order are exposed to administrative fines of up to $5,000 for each incident, under Law 430-2000.. Each day that the violation persists may be considered a separate violation.
The fines will be assigned to the registration of the watercraft that caused the violation.
In September 2025, the DRNA had anticipated The New Day that was considering prohibiting, through an administrative order, the operation of watercraft in Salinas Bay, considered the area with the highest concentration of manatees in Puerto Rico.
The restriction is the first of this nature imposed by the agency in Puerto Rico waters.
“For now, we are going to stay with (the ban in) the bay (of Salinas). If it had to be amended, well, it will be amended. But I think that, after there is a first ban, and people realize that we are serious (…) You’ve already seen the nobility of those animals when they are taught, that they don’t bother anyone.”Quiles had then expressed to this medium.