Record manatee deaths in Florida – Updated
Bottom Line: About a month ago we’d received unfortunate news from the Florida, Fish and Wildlife Commission. We’re were on track for a record number of manatee deaths by boaters, with boaters being the top cause of death of manatees in 2019. As we’re wrapping up December and 2019 the news isn’t unexpected, but it is unfortunate. Over 130 deaths by boaters have occurred in Florida’s waters this year – eclipsing last year’s record total of 124 deaths via boaters. As I pointed out with the previous report, on one hand it’s not surprising. More people, more boaters more opportunity. Plus, more manatees...we think. But there could be more to the story.
While some estimates place the manatee population at around 10,000 after years of projected growth in population – it's possible that we’re being overly optimistic. In the state’s “ground count” of manatees in 2017, 6,620 were observed. This year’s count checked in at just 5,733. It’s generally believed that these are minimum counts but the year over year decrease in count isn’t small and we’d have to have several thousand more unaccounted for to meet the perceived state estimates.
Most deaths are taking place in Lee and Brevard Counties, demonstrating that the problem exists on both coasts and rounding out the top five counties are Collier, Monroe and Volusia. Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties have been responsible for three deaths via boaters each thus far in 2019. The bottom line as we wrap up 2019, is the need for greater consideration for the threatened species by boaters in the New Year.