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FWC releases preliminary 2007 manatee mortality data

Press Release

January 7, 2008

Contact:

Wendy Quigley (727) 896-8626

FWC RELEASES PRELIMINARY 2007 MANATEE MORTALITY DATA

A preliminary report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) indicates there were 317 manatee deaths in state waters in 2007. The total number of carcasses documented last year falls below the five-year average of 355.

Watercraft strikes and red tide continue to contribute to a high percentage of manatee mortality, accounting for more than half of the total deaths in 2007 where scientists could determine the cause of death. Necropsy results identify watercraft strikes as the cause of 73 deaths and red tide as responsible for 52 deaths in 2007.

FWC researchers report that watercraft and red tide-related deaths were high in Southwest Florida. The combination of these factors was identified as a concern for this region in the recently approved manatee management plan.

The FWC uses trends in mortality figures to monitor ongoing and emerging threats to the manatee population. A recent report analyzing threats to the species, coauthored by researchers from the United States Geological Survey and the FWC, points to watercraft-related mortality as the most significant long-term threat to the manatee population. However, FWC is encouraged that the number of watercraft-related deaths in 2007 is below the five-year average.

The FWC is committed to conservation actions that reduce the human-caused manatee deaths. The FWC’s manatee management plan outlines measures to address watercraft-related mortality, as well as other threats facing the manatee population.

To report a dead or injured manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC.
For more information on manatee mortality research, visit http://research.MyFWC.com/manatees.