Manatees May Get Status Downgraded

By Kevin Wadlow

Be wary of a state plan to review the status of the manatee, say officials of the Save the Manatee Club.

"This is being done for the wrong reasons," said Pat Rose, the club’s head of government relations. "There are a lot of development interests out there, and there has been huge pressure to lower the [endangered species] standard."

In June, the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission plans to look at the biological status of several Florida species, which could lead to the manatee being declared "threatened" instead of "endangered" under state standards.

Reports from the state say the process is part of new system intended to protect species according to more detailed scientific studies.

A change in definitions used to define the two classifications could cause the manatee to be listed under the "threatened" designation, Rose said.

"It’s not because the [manatee] population is increasing," he said. "The state’s own study says we could lose half the population in the next 50 years. That alone should set off red flags."

A state fact sheet says, "While the manatee population appears to have increased over the past few decades, threats still remain that could cause the population to decline significantly in the future."

Changes could lead to a loosening of rules now governing canals and waterways to protect manatees from boat traffic, according to the club.

State officials say rule changes would only be considered after extensive review of the laws’ effects on the species.

"Prior to any reclassification, a species management plan will be developed that incorporates protections to foster the continued recovery of the species. The plan could take a year or longer to develop, during which the FWC will seek both professional and public input. This plan will propose protections necessary to guide species recovery," says a state fact sheet.

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