Florida’s statewide 2010 manatee count was high, as was the count in the Citrus County. Why is the Service proceeding with the designation of an additional manatee refuge?
A20: The Service is very pleased with recent survey counts and sees these numbers as indicative of the success of many long-term conservation efforts. However, collisions with watercraft and harassment actions that impede the use of warm water areas critical to manatee survival continue to impact manatees. Whether or not the manatee population grows or declines is primarily dependent on the survival rate of adult manatees. The designation of an additional federal manatee protection area is expected to further improve adult survival rates, provide the Service with a valuable adaptive management tool to meet current and future manatee needs in Kings Bay, address harassment concerns, and support the full recovery of the species.
Related Questions
- If, as a result of the review, the Service determines that a change to the Florida manatees status from endangered to threatened may be warranted, will such a change reduce the level of protection for the species?
- Since the state of Floridas 2001 manatee count was higher than expected, why is the Service proceeding with the Incidental Take Regulations?
- Why hasn’t the Service prepared a SAR each year for the Florida Manatee?
