The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released preliminary mortality rates for manatees. The Commission has found that 505 manatees died between January 1, 2023 to November 24, 2023. The last estimate of statewide numbers for the 2021-2022 period is 8,350–11,730 manatees, with 3,960–5,420 on the west coast and 3,940–6,980 on the east coast. [...]
At least 76 manatees died in 2022 after being struck by boats, data shows. A study done by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) looked at 10 years of Florida manatee necropsy reports to characterize and quantify watercraft-related scarring. The researchers found that one out of every four adult carcasses analyzed in their [...]
The Florida manatee, designated the state marine mammal in 1975, is among the state’s most popular native animal. Manatees are often called gentle giants. They’re slow-moving, peaceful creatures that tend to flock toward human activity in search of warmth. However, 2021 was not a good year for them. More than 1,101 of the sea mammals [...]
The Florida manatee, designated the state marine mammal in 1975, is among the state’s most popular native animal. Manatees are often called gentle giants. They’re slow-moving, peaceful creatures that tend to flock toward human activity in search of warmth. However, they are not having a good year. More than 1,000 of the sea mammals have [...]
With July 4th fast approaching there will be a lot of activity in and on the water. Please follow the below tips on boating to keep our marine wildlife safe. Follow Coast Guard-approved safe boating guidelines, comply with slow speed zone signs and use vigilance to avoid striking sea turtles, manatees and dolphins. Follow 10 [...]
2019 was a bad year for manatees in Florida. According to preliminary data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, boat strikes have killed 136 manatees. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) estimates that at least two – thirds of all Manatees have at one time experienced a boat strike. This despite [...]
Florida wildlife officials are concerned by the record number of manatee deaths by boat strikes. A report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows in the first half of 2019, 89 manatees had been killed by watercraft, compared to 65 during the same time period last year. The five-year average for the [...]
