RED TIDE TO BLAME FOR INCREASE IN MANATEE DEATHS IN 2003

RED TIDE TO BLAME FOR INCREASE IN MANATEE DEATHS IN 2003
FWC Biologists Release 2003 Manatee Mortality Data
St. Petersburg—Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) have confirmed that, based on 2003 necropsy (non-human autopsy) reports, 380 manatees died in state waters this year. Of these, 98 are suspected to have died due to a red tide event in southwest Florida. This is the second highest known natural mortality event. In 1996, 149 manatees died due to red tide exposure. During a brief period from February 27 to May 1, 2003, biologists recovered and performed necropsies on 71 manatees affected by red tide. All of these animals tested positive for exposure to red tide toxin. The carcasses were recovered from waterways throughout Lee, Collier, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties. *(Cause of death for 2 of the 380 manatees is pending necropsy this morning and for now will fall in “undetermined” category until necropsy is complete). Seventy-three manatees died this year due to watercraft-related injuries—the lowest watercraft-related injury rate since 1998. Other Causes of Manatee Deaths include, perinatal, floodgate and canal lock, other human causes, cold stress, natural, and undetermined.
In 2002, manatee deaths totaled 305. Watercraft-related injuries accounted for 95 of those deaths. In 2001, 325 manatees died in Florida waters. Of those, 81 animals died from injuries sustained in watercraft-related incidents.
Visit Manatee Mortality Statistics to view manatee mortality statistics and related information. The Manatee Mortality Web allows users to search for manatee mortality information by county, cause of death, and date from 1974 through September 2003. Two report formats are available: a summary report that lists the search results in a numbers-only table and an individual report that provides detailed information such as sex, size, region, and cause of death. The 2003 preliminary manatee mortality report will show a comparison for 2002, 2001 and a 5-year mortality average.
To report a dead or injured manatee, please call toll free 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
Contact Allison Bozarth at (727) 896-8626 ext. 2076 for more information concerning the total number of manatee mortalities. For questions regarding manatee-related rules and regulations, please visit the Bureau of Protected Species Management Web site at http://myfwc.com/.
Additional Information:
Marine Mammal Rescue and Mortality Response
2003 Cumulative Category Summary (PDF File—51.9 KB)