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Manatees:
Important Information
Marine Industry Association Of Florida Supports Manatee Protection Efforts Indicated By Good Scientific Data
MANATEE LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN 2004 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Several pieces of legislation have been introduced in the 2004 Session which will impact manatees.
House Bill 633 and its Senate companion bill 1676, amend section 370.12, Florida Statutes, to have the Fish and Wildlife Commission employ the use of “measurable biological goals” from Section 372.072(6), in its evaluation of manatee protection regulations. The bill also declares that in areas where the measurable biological goals are being met, manatee regulations shall be deemed adequate.
House Bill 1239 (Senate Bill 342 is identical) creates an exception from civil penalties for violating manatee protection zone rules if it is done under conditions where it is the activity is reasonably necessary to prevent the loss of life or property or render necessary assistance to persons or property.
House Bill 1303 requires the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to conduct a review of spending at the Florida Marine Research Institute. The purpose of the review is to achieve optimal balance between the quality of the research being done and the costs associated with that research.
The Florida Marine Research Institute conducts the surveys of the manatee population, as well as reporting of manatee mortality statistics.
2004 MANATEE AERIAL SURVEY
ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY WARM WEATHER
State biologists at the Florida Marine Research Institute conducted the annual aerial survey on February 20, 2004, to count the Florida manatee population. The result was a count of 2,568 manatees. This number is above the average for the surveys, but lower overall than the 2001 and 2003 counts. However, scientists at the Institute conclude that the reason for the lower numbers in the annual count was due to warmer weather on the day of the count.
Several people, including the researchers at the Institute, do not use the annual survey as a definitive indicator of the actual manatee population because of the variability of the count from weather factors. Despite the unreliability of the counts, they are required by statute, and thus are performed annually. However, despite the variability, some indicators are raised as to the state of the manatee population.
For example, the population mark for the west coast of Florida was 1,324 in 2003 and 1,309 in 2004; virtually unchanged. However, we know that during 2003, the west coast population was struck harder than normal, losing 98 manatees to the red-tide phenomena. Having the population count remain relatively constant after a year in which there was an abnormally high death rate would indicate that but for the red tide, we would have seen a spike in population on the west coast in this year.
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Manatee Protection Plans
Brevard:
Broward: http://www.co.broward.fl.us/bio/manatees_mpp.htm
Indian River:
Lee:
Martin:
Palm beach:
Sarasota:
St. Lucie:
SAVE THE MANATEE CLUB SPARKS ANTI-GROWTH MOVEMENT IN FLORIDA
Stepping outside of its traditional role as an advocate for manatees, the Maitland-based, Save the Manatee Club has gone on the record as an anti-growth organization.
In its most recent newsletter, addressing Florida members, under the heading, Take Back Your Neighborhoods, the club states:
“There’s a solution to overcrowded schools, gridlocked roads, higher taxes, fees, and utility costs and inadequate services. Join other citizens in controlling unbridled growth. Florida Hometown Democracy is a grass roots, non-partisan group launching a statewide petition drive behind a proposed state constitutional amendment. This amendment lets voters decide whether their city or county comprehensive land use plan will be changed or adopted. Because Floridians are stuck with the consequences of comprehensive plan changes, it makes sense that they should have the final say over proposed changes.”See, The Manatee Zone, page 6, March 2004.
Also included in the newsletter was a copy of the Constitutional Amendment Petition Form. The expansion in the scope of the Save the Manatee Club’s interests to include support of this amendment is clear evidence of their opposition to economic growth in Florida.
MANATEE NEWS ACROSS FLORIDA
News from around the state:
• Mortality Stats: 73 manatees were killed in Florida due to watercraft in 2003; the lowest amount since 1998, and 22 fewer than in 2002, when 95 were killed due to watercraft.
• Broward/Palm Beach County Manatee Safety Plan: Broward and Palm Beach Counties are working to meet the 2006 deadline set by the Legislature to finish their manatee protection plans.
Originally ordered by then Gov. Bob Martinez in 1989, the two counties never implemented the plan. Plans include new rules for boatslip construction in canals in the two counties, as well as boater education programs to raise the level of awareness on the waters with respect to manatees.
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