$13.8 Million Sought In Manatee Relief

Tallahassee, FL – Florida’s gentle giants could receive extra help from the state soon after lawmakers rolled out an almost $14 million proposal to help Florida’s ailing manatees. The $13.8 million proposal was made by the state House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and committee Chairwoman Josie Tomkow says the funds will cover 12 new full-time employees who can respond to a number of manatee-related issues. The proposal comes after a record-setting 1,100 deaths were reported throughout 2021. $8.3 million of the $13.8 million will be specifically earmarked for expanding and enhancing the network of specialized acute-care facilities to treat injured and distressed manatees. Another proposed manatee fund included nearly $3 million to treat injured and distressed manatees. Already in the first month of 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported 97 manatee deaths. Of the 38 that have been necropsied 23 died of natural causes; five died by watercraft; three died from cold stress; three suffered perinatal death; three died by undetermined means; and one died by some other human-linked cause. While January 2022’s January mortality report is less than what was reported in January 2021, 170, the number of manatees deaths is still higher than what was last reported between 2017 and 2020. Manatee watcher Laurliee Thompson is one of many volunteers who are giving their time to help the state monitor manatees. She described a number of photos she’s seen of the state’s effort to recover deceased manatees. “(There was) a drone shot that showed four manatees, two each in individual trailers, and absolutely one of them was a baby,” said Thompson. The FWC also said it would seek nearly $7 million from lawmakers as part of long-term efforts to rebuild seagrass beds and wean manatees from artificial warm-water sites, like areas near power plants—which attract manatees in the winter. In total, 14 manatees have been rescued so far this year by FWC, including one in Volusia County. 159 manatees were rescued by the FWC in 2021.