VERO BEACH — Florida wildlife officials are proposing to relax boat speed limits in several former manatee gathering areas along the Indian River Lagoon, a move that would mark the first substantial overhaul of the county’s protection zones in more than 20 years. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to vote Feb. 5 on the amendments, which would adjust rules in Indian River County waterways last revised in 2002. Manatee sightings have dropped in some spots to as low as 0.5 per flight, based on aerial surveys from 2019. Key changes include raising the speed limit near Sebastian Inlet from the current idle speed — typically 2 to 5 mph — to a slow speed zone, allowing boats to go up to about 15 mph without creating a significant wake. The proposal comes from the state’s Manatee Management Plan, which requires scheduled reviews to balance wildlife protection with recreational use under the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.