MANATEE COUNTY – The recently released manatee mortality report for 2023 from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows that statewide deaths for manatees are well below the five-year annual average of 793.
The total number of deaths statewide last year was 556 and is the lowest since 2017 when 538 manatee deaths were recorded. The FWC’s estimate of the state’s manatee population in 2021-22 was between 8,350 and 11,730 manatees.
The leading cause of death last year was watercraft-related, according to the FWC report, which also noted that approximately 20% of the total statewide mortality last year was attributed to a significant red tide bloom in southwest Florida earlier in the year.
In Manatee County there were 19 total deaths recorded – four from watercraft, two perinatal, three natural and 10 not necropsied. The watercraft deaths occurred in the Braden River, Manatee River and Sarasota Bay.
“Population models identify both watercraft collisions and red tide blooms as one of the most significant threats to manatees long-term,” the FWC report stated. “In contrast with the Gulf coast, a high proportion (81%) of Atlantic coast carcasses was fully necropsied for the ongoing health investigation in the Unusual Mortality Event from starvation, but starvation-related mortality was very low (3% of Atlantic coast carcasses) in 2023,” according to FWC.
No mortalities were definitively attributed to Hurricane Idalia, but FWC staff and partners rescued 10 manatees across southwest Florida that had become entrapped after storm-related floodwaters receded.
Manatee Tips
• Obey posted signs for manatee slow-speed zones.
• Wear polarized sunglasses to see manatees in your path.
• If you observe a manatee mating herd – several manatees gathered as males vie to mate with a female – watch from at least 100 feet away. Coming any closer might disrupt the mating or endanger you; adult manatees typically weigh more than 1,000 pounds.
• Look, but don’t touch manatees. Keep your distance when boating, even if you are steering a canoe, kayak or paddleboard.
• Never feed or water manatees as they will become habituated to people, which could put them at risk of injury.
• Stow trash and line when underway. Marine debris that blows overboard can become ingested by or entangled around manatees.
• Report stranded or dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
