Whatever their label, manatees in danger
A Times EditorialPublished December 5, 2007
When the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meets today to decide the fate of the manatee, it should keep one thing in mind: As the manatee goes, so goes the state's reputation. Gov. Charlie Crist gets it, which is why he is asking the commission to postpone a decision on downlisting the manatee from "endangered" to the weaker "threatened" status until everyone knows the full implications of that change.
The commission's professional staff has made a sound argument for why the label isn't as important as the management plan to protect the species. And yes, if manatees are growing in number, they aren't in immediate threat of extinction. But considering the forces aligned against the manatee - mainly developers and the boating and sport fishing industries - that argument loses its credibility. Any Floridian paying attention knows who has the most political influence in the state, and it isn't the manatee.
While the manatee population might be stable now, no one denies that the amiable giants are being killed or dying in alarming numbers - 416 last year. Meanwhile, the state is struggling to impose sensible restraints on coastal growth and pollution, both threats to the manatee's future.
Besides, the state criteria under which a species is labeled either endangered or threatened may be flawed. The Save the Manatee Club wants the commission to come up with a listing process that adequately addresses the needs of an individual species based on its unique life history and to set species-specific benchmarks for recovery. It is a reasonable request, though it will take time, which is why the commission should postpone its decision.
The commissioners, who are all connected to the development industry in some way, sound as though they understand the seriousness of their decision.
"It's an issue I think we need to be very cautious with - put it that way," said Ron Bergeron, a commission member recently appointed by Crist.
Dwight Stephenson, another Crist appointee to the commission, echoed the need for caution. "We want to do our best for the manatees and for the state of Florida," said the former Miami Dolphin football player.
So listen to your mentor, commissioners. Wait until you're absolutely certain that your actions will save the manatee before deciding its fate.