CCA Florida has requested that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) re-evaluate the biological status of the Florida manatee. The request was filed in accordance with the FWC's formal listing action process, which is used to determine whether a species can be listed as "endangered," "threatened" or "species of special concern." The process, which was adopted by the Commission in 1999, was developed with the assistance of a working group consisting of representatives from conservation organizations, landowners, businesses and industries.

"It doesn't matter whether the management issue is snook, grouper or manatees; we believe that certain scientific information is needed to properly protect and manage a species," said CCA Florida Executive Director Ted Forsgren. "First is a biological goal which equates to a healthy sustainable population; and second is a current assessment of the population with respect to that goal."

According to CCA Florida, if such information is not available the effectiveness of existing regulations cannot be determined; nor can the need for additional regulations be properly evaluated. This information is particularly important now because the FWC is moving to develop management options and proposed regulations for "hot spots" and "safe havens" designated in the state manatee lawsuit settlement agreement.

Another reason for a current evaluation is to get updated information out to the public. Certain environmental and animal rights groups continue to state that manatees are in serious trouble and are "declining to extinction." In the past, state and federal scientists may have been reluctant to reveal that manatee populations were growing. At a recent Manatee Technical Advisory Committee meeting, a state scientist stated, "Ten years ago we were not allowed to tell the public that manatee populations were increasing."

The state of Florida's manatee protection programs have been a success leading to substantial increases in manatee abundance. Last May, CCA Florida released a report on the status of manatees in Florida by Dr. Thomas Fraser, a marine scientist. One of Fraser's findings was that "All of the biological data indicates that the West Indian manatee in Florida has sustained an increasing population for the last 25 years."

Just seven months ago, state and federal scientists counted an all time record 3,276 manatees in statewide aerial surveys - more than double the number counted 10 years ago.

"Manatees appear to have successfully recovered to a level which clearly exceeds the defined parameters for listing as an endangered species under FWC rules," said Dr. Thomas Fraser.

For example, FWC Rule 68A - F.A.C. outlines the following criteria for defining whether a species is endangered:

1) An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected reduction of at least 80% over the previous 10 years or three generations, whichever is longer, based on, and specifying, any of the following:

a) direct observation
b) an index of abundance appropriate for the species
c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence or quality of habitat
d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
e) the effects of introduced species, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.

2) A reduction of at least 80% projected or suspected to be met within the next ten years or three generations, whichever is longer, based on, and specifying, any of (b), (c), (d) or (e) above.

B) Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 40 square miles or area of occupancy estimated to be less than 4 square miles,.....

C) Population estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals and either:

1) An estimated continuing decline of at least 25% within three years or one generation whichever is longer, or

2) A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in numbers of mature individuals and population structure in the form of either:

a) severe fragmentation (that is, no subpopulation estimated to contain more than 50 mature individuals)
b) all individuals are in a single subpopulation.

D) Population estimated to number fewer than 50 mature individuals.

E) Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the wild is at least 50% within 10 years or three generations, whichever is longer.

- Biological data indicates that manatee populations have increased over the past 25 years, not declined;

- Manatees occupy extensive areas along Florida's entire east coast and west coast out to the Panhandle; and,

- The most recent aerial census counted 3,276 manatees, more than double the number counted 10 years ago.