What is the biological basis for the recommendation to reclassify the West Indian manatee?
A17: The best science and commercial information available shows the population of the Florida manatee has increased and the Antillean manatee levels are at least stable, and neither subspecies is in danger of becoming extinct within all or a significant portion of their range. However, threats of potential habitat loss and watercraft collisions and our concerns regarding the adequacy of regulatory mechanisms associated with those threats lead us to believe the West Indian manatee should be classified as threatened.
