Opposition to Manatee Downlisting
Since the Florida manatee was downlisted to "threatened" in 2017, the species has faced significant challenges—including an Unusual Mortality Event in which over 1,200 manatees died in the Indian River Lagoon due to a severe loss of seagrass, their primary food source. In response to this crisis, Save the Manatee Club (SMC) and other partner organizations petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to reclassify American manatees (which include the Florida and Greater Caribbean subspecies) based on lack of forage. USFWS found that the petitions presented substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the requested actions may be warranted and initiated a formal status review. In their significantly delayed twelve-month finding, USFWS proposed a rule stating that, based on the best available scientific evidence, the Florida manatee should remain listed as "threatened," while the Greater Caribbean manatee should be upgraded to "endangered."
Just as in 2016, Save the Manatee Club believes that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not rely on the best available scientific evidence when determining the listing status of the Florida manatee. Our concerns are rooted in the availability of forage, as the data used in the agency’s species status assessment predates 2015 and does not reflect current conditions. Seagrass—a critical food source for manatees—is in statewide decline, and many waterways are increasingly polluted. Additionally, manatees remain vulnerable due to their dependence on artificial warm-water sources, which are not sustainable long-term.
The FWS decision leaves Florida manatees and their habitat exposed to attacks and could ultimately preclude the species’ recovery.
As previously stated in 2016, FWS is deciding to keep manatees at threatened status without addressing current and future loss of forage and without establishing a long-term plan for the anticipated loss of artificial winter warm water habitat on which more than 60% of the Florida manatee population depends.
Below is a summary of our efforts—along with those of our colleagues and founding members—to preserve the endangered status of manatees.
- Petition filed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reclassify both subspecies of the West Indian manatee as endangered.
- Save the Manatee Club's comments submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the rule to maintain the Florida manatee's threatened status under the Endangered Species act.
- Read: Feds Propose Keeping Manatees as Threatened Species (external link)
- Read: Manatee Status Could Spur Lawsuit (external link)
Learn more about seagrass loss
You can also read opinion editorials and additional letters on this topic below and sign up for our action alerts. We’ll be engaging our Action Team members as updates are available, and your voice is important in these efforts.
Learn more about the history of Save the Manatee Club’s efforts to protect the Florida manatee:
2021
2016
Comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Senator Nelson Voices Strong Opposition to the Proposal to Downgrade the West Indian Manatee
"I do not believe there is sufficient scientific support for a reclassification at this time," said Senator Nelson. He asks the Service to "...maintain the endangered listing for this iconic species to ensure its permanent legacy in Florida."