Species Listing Process - Q&A
GENERAL
| BALD EAGLE |
GOPHER
TORTOISE | MANATEE | PANAMA CITY CRAYFISH
| IMPERILED SPECIES
on MyFWC.com |
QUESTIONS - Manatee
What is the history of the manatee listing
action?
In August 2001, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) received a petition (MyFWC.com/imperiledspecies/petitions/manatee.htm)
from the Coastal Conservation Association to evaluate the
endangered status of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus),
specifically the Florida subspecies (T. manatus latirostris). In
October 2001, the FWC’s Commissioners accepted this petition and
directed staff to complete a biological status review of the
Florida manatee. This review was completed in 2003. Since then,
the FWC has revised its listing process, and another manatee
biological status review was conducted under the new process.
The final report will be presented at the June 2006 FWC meeting.
How did the biological review panel come to
recommend the classification of “threatened” for the Florida
manatee?
While the manatee population appears to have increased over the
past few decades, threats remain that could cause the
population to decline significantly in the future. The manatee
met two of the criteria for listing as threatened. Population
model results indicated the potential for a future population
decline of greater than 50 percent in the next 50 years. It also
met the requirements of “threatened” because the number of
mature individuals was estimated to be less than 2,500 and the
population could decline by more than 20 percent in the next two
generations.
How does manatee status impact speed zones?
Existing boat speed zones established for manatee protection
will not change if the proposed reclassification is approved.
Speed zone regulations are implemented independent of the
manatee’s status in the state of Florida. Changes to boat speed
zones are accomplished through the State rulemaking process,
which includes extensive coordination with local governments and
public participation. In addition, the manatee is federally
protected under both the Endangered Species Act (http://endangered.fws.gov/whatwedo.html#General)
and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/laws/MMPA/MMPA.html),
and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act (370.12 (2), Florida
Statutes) specifically provides protection for manatees that is
independent of, and not contingent upon, its status as a listed
species.
If the FWC reclassifies the Florida manatee
from “endangered” to “threatened,” will it also eliminate
protections?
No. The categories in Florida’s listed species rule describe the
relative risk of extinction, not the level of protection. Prior
to any reclassification, a manatee-management plan will be
developed that incorporates protections to foster the continued
recovery of the species. The plan could take a year or longer to
develop, during which the FWC will seek both professional and
public input. This plan will propose protections necessary to
guide species recovery.
The manatee is federally protected under both
the Endangered Species Act
(http://endangered.fws.gov/whatwedo.html#General)
and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/laws/MMPA/MMPA.html),
and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act (370.12 (2), Florida
Statutes) specifically provides protection for manatees that is
independent of, and not contingent upon, its status as a listed
species in the state of Florida.
Will the change in status impact review of
marina and other coastal projects?
The FWC will continue to provide review of permit applications
that could affect the manatee and its habitat. Manatee
protections will be defined by the species-specific management
plan, which will take about one year to develop and will incorporate
public input.