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Manatee deaths hit record
Early edition
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
Published January 9, 2007
A record number of manatees died in Florida last year, fueled in part by a rise in watercraft-related fatalities.
The state saw 416 manatee deaths, one more than the previous high in 1996, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute reported. That included 86 watercraft-related fatalities, the second highest ever.
The report was released Tuesday — just two days before the comment period ends on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s proposal to downgrade manatees from an endangered to a threatened species.
The proposed downgrade has irked groups like the Save the Manatee Club because, among other things, the state’s new manatee plan would allow a loss of 30 percent of the manatee population within the next three generations.
Record mortality numbers fit in with that kind of picture.
“They’re managing for a declining population,’’ Save the Manatee executive director Pat Rose said. “You’re supposed to manage for an optimal population ... so we’re obviously pretty frustrated.’’
But Florida Fish and Wildlife officials aren’t sure whether the rise in deaths is cause for concern.
“Scientists are unsure as to whether the increase reflects manatee population growth, increased mortality or better detection of carcasses,’’ the agency said in a news release.
“It’s always sad to see such high numbers, especially in watercraft-caused mortality, but these numbers shed some light on the measures we can take in our commitment to reducing human-related threats to manatees and possibly other threats,’’ wildlife commission Chairman Rodney Barreto said. “With continued human population growth and enjoyment of the outdoors, we must all be diligent in the conservation and protection of this gentle animal.’’
The manatee plan examines existing protections and proposes new ones. It includes new measurements for the health and viability of the manatee population.
[Last modified January 9, 2007, 22:08:10]
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