The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is preparing to seek price quotes for thousands of decals to paste over the outdated phone number on signs at marinas and elsewhere on the state's waters.

The signs refer boaters to a toll-free number to call if they spot a manatee in distress. Prior to July of 1999, the number ended with "FMP," which stood for Florida Marine Patrol, but the marine patrol no longer exists. The number to call now is (888) 404-FWCC.

The FWC changed all its publications in 2001, but some of the agency's old publications and signs are still around with the old phone number, which now reaches a commercial site, not endorsed by the agency nor dedicated to helping distressed manatees.

The agency has received few complaints about the confusion, but it is taking steps to ensure the correct phone number is displayed prominently in areas where boaters may encounter manatees.