Latest Manatee Update from FL Today Newspaper.
01-05-2005, 11:33 AM
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Latest Manatee Update from FL Today Newspaper.
Manatee deaths in Florida top 200 for 10th straight year
By KEVIN LOLLAR
The News-Press of Fort Myers
Last year was another bad one for manatees. According to preliminary numbers, 264 manatees died statewide. Brevard County led Florida with 65 deaths, followed by Lee County in Southwest Florida with 49 deaths.
For the 10th consecutive year, more than 200 endangered manatees died in Florida waters; the annual count for the past six years has been more than 250, including more than 300 per year from 2001 through 2003.
From 1976 (the first year meaningful manatee death statistics were recorded) through 1994, the manatee death toll reached 200 only once, in 1990, when 206 died.
"We have information on manatee deaths going back 30 years that show a 6 to 7 percent increase," said Tom Pitchford, director of the state's Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory in St. Petersburg. "Some people are looking for a plateau then a decline in mortality that would indicate good management practices or a decline in manatee populations.
"Whether the population can sustain that level of mortality depends on the magic number of how many manatees are out there and whether mortality factors are stable or under control. So we're working backward to an unknown: [I]How many manatees are there?"[/I][B]
Although scientists conduct statewide aerial manatee population counts every year, no one can really say how many manatees live in Florida. Results depend on many factors, such as wind and other meteorological conditions the day of the counts.
The highest count was 3,276 in January 2001, when conditions were ideal (no wind and clear skies); the next count, in March 2002, produced 1,796 manatees, when conditions were less than perfect. In January 2003, scientists counted 3,113.
Last year's manatee mortality might seem to be an improvement over recent years, certainly an improvement by 116 deaths over 2003.
But the 2004 number might grow, or some dead manatees might never be accounted for, biologist Ken Arrison said.
"Since 1995, we've been relying greatly on citizen reports. There are more people on the water finding animals and reporting them," he said. "In part, this year's numbers might be low because the state had four hurricanes. There are a lot less people on the water — it might be an economic thing, or people's boats are down or repair shops are down."
Necropsies (post-mortem examinations) performed at the pathobiology lab determine how a manatee died, and each death is classified in one of eight categories, which include natural, cold stress, perinatal, flood gate/canal lock and watercraft.
About 25 percent of all manatee deaths are caused by collisions with boats, and manatee advocates and recreational boaters have clashed for a decade over how extensive manatee protection speed zones should be throughout the state.
Since 1976, boats have killed at least 1,297 manatees in the state - Brevard leads with 226, trailed by 185 in Lee County.
These state-leading numbers have to do with the size of manatee and human populations in Brevard and Lee counties, said Laura Combs, southwest regional coordinator of the Save the Manatee Club.
"Brevard County is a unique county because it's centrally located on the east coast and it has two power plants," Combs said. "So you can get 500 manatees on a cold day. As the human population continues to grow, so does the number of watercraft.
"Here in Lee County, we have great habitat for manatees, a warm-water power plant and several secondary warm-water refuges, like Matlacha Isles. And the population in Lee is just booming. Now there is one boat for every 10 residents."
Statewide, watercraft- related manatee deaths were slightly down in 2003 and 2004 compared to the previous four years.
From 1999 through 2002, boats killed an average of 84 manatees in Florida. Boats killed 73 in 2003 and 69 in 2004.
Lee County led the state in boat-related manatee deaths last year with 13; in the past 10 years, Lee County has either led the state or tied for first place with Brevard County seven times.
Look out Brevard and Lee counties, the $MC is still gunning for us!
MD
By KEVIN LOLLAR
The News-Press of Fort Myers
Last year was another bad one for manatees. According to preliminary numbers, 264 manatees died statewide. Brevard County led Florida with 65 deaths, followed by Lee County in Southwest Florida with 49 deaths.
For the 10th consecutive year, more than 200 endangered manatees died in Florida waters; the annual count for the past six years has been more than 250, including more than 300 per year from 2001 through 2003.
From 1976 (the first year meaningful manatee death statistics were recorded) through 1994, the manatee death toll reached 200 only once, in 1990, when 206 died.
"We have information on manatee deaths going back 30 years that show a 6 to 7 percent increase," said Tom Pitchford, director of the state's Marine Mammal Pathobiology Laboratory in St. Petersburg. "Some people are looking for a plateau then a decline in mortality that would indicate good management practices or a decline in manatee populations.
"Whether the population can sustain that level of mortality depends on the magic number of how many manatees are out there and whether mortality factors are stable or under control. So we're working backward to an unknown: [I]How many manatees are there?"[/I][B]
Although scientists conduct statewide aerial manatee population counts every year, no one can really say how many manatees live in Florida. Results depend on many factors, such as wind and other meteorological conditions the day of the counts.
The highest count was 3,276 in January 2001, when conditions were ideal (no wind and clear skies); the next count, in March 2002, produced 1,796 manatees, when conditions were less than perfect. In January 2003, scientists counted 3,113.
Last year's manatee mortality might seem to be an improvement over recent years, certainly an improvement by 116 deaths over 2003.
But the 2004 number might grow, or some dead manatees might never be accounted for, biologist Ken Arrison said.
"Since 1995, we've been relying greatly on citizen reports. There are more people on the water finding animals and reporting them," he said. "In part, this year's numbers might be low because the state had four hurricanes. There are a lot less people on the water — it might be an economic thing, or people's boats are down or repair shops are down."
Necropsies (post-mortem examinations) performed at the pathobiology lab determine how a manatee died, and each death is classified in one of eight categories, which include natural, cold stress, perinatal, flood gate/canal lock and watercraft.
About 25 percent of all manatee deaths are caused by collisions with boats, and manatee advocates and recreational boaters have clashed for a decade over how extensive manatee protection speed zones should be throughout the state.
Since 1976, boats have killed at least 1,297 manatees in the state - Brevard leads with 226, trailed by 185 in Lee County.
These state-leading numbers have to do with the size of manatee and human populations in Brevard and Lee counties, said Laura Combs, southwest regional coordinator of the Save the Manatee Club.
"Brevard County is a unique county because it's centrally located on the east coast and it has two power plants," Combs said. "So you can get 500 manatees on a cold day. As the human population continues to grow, so does the number of watercraft.
"Here in Lee County, we have great habitat for manatees, a warm-water power plant and several secondary warm-water refuges, like Matlacha Isles. And the population in Lee is just booming. Now there is one boat for every 10 residents."
Statewide, watercraft- related manatee deaths were slightly down in 2003 and 2004 compared to the previous four years.
From 1999 through 2002, boats killed an average of 84 manatees in Florida. Boats killed 73 in 2003 and 69 in 2004.
Lee County led the state in boat-related manatee deaths last year with 13; in the past 10 years, Lee County has either led the state or tied for first place with Brevard County seven times.
Look out Brevard and Lee counties, the $MC is still gunning for us!
MD
01-05-2005, 11:43 AM
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Re: Latest Manatee Update from FL Today Newspaper.
Ben,
None I imagine! Next time you see Bob Bull, ask him about his prop testing session in the Banana River last fall and what happened with the USCG! Most of all the boat related deaths are commercial boats, (Tugs, barges, etc)! I personally have NEVER MET A RECREATIONAL BOATER who has hit a Manatee! I've lived and boated in Fl. since 1990!
MD
None I imagine! Next time you see Bob Bull, ask him about his prop testing session in the Banana River last fall and what happened with the USCG! Most of all the boat related deaths are commercial boats, (Tugs, barges, etc)! I personally have NEVER MET A RECREATIONAL BOATER who has hit a Manatee! I've lived and boated in Fl. since 1990!
MD
01-05-2005, 12:16 PM
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Re: Latest Manatee Update from FL Today Newspaper.
There are 978,225 registered boats in Florida as well as tens of thousands more who visit annually from out of state, and these fvcking whackos think that 66(25% of 264) boat related deaths even deserve mention. It's nothing...to hell with the smc. 
01-05-2005, 12:28 PM
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Re: Latest Manatee Update from FL Today Newspaper.
Kill them all.... problem solved.
While your at it you might do the same to enviro wacko journalists.... Just a tought.
While your at it you might do the same to enviro wacko journalists.... Just a tought.
01-05-2005, 12:44 PM
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Re: Latest Manatee Update from FL Today Newspaper.
Agreed...
If you say, 978,225 boats are registered in Florida (not to mentioned the ones that aren't registered and boating around) and as you state, not to mention the visitors to Florida, than that averages out to: .000269% kills per boat or 3705.40 boats "registered" per manatees killed. So how much does it cost to register your boat in Florida? Even if you say, $100, that would work out to, $97,822,500.00 into the Florida economy! And again, how many were killed? 264? That would work out to, .00000269 cents per manatee.
Also not to mention the fact that in Lee County they continue to heat the water up river to keep the manatee, "cozy warm"...
Didn't Flager, the railroad tycoon originally bring them here to feed his men working on the railroad and construction sites in Florida? They are not even indignant mammals to Florida at all... More things to make you go, hmmmmm...
If you say, 978,225 boats are registered in Florida (not to mentioned the ones that aren't registered and boating around) and as you state, not to mention the visitors to Florida, than that averages out to: .000269% kills per boat or 3705.40 boats "registered" per manatees killed. So how much does it cost to register your boat in Florida? Even if you say, $100, that would work out to, $97,822,500.00 into the Florida economy! And again, how many were killed? 264? That would work out to, .00000269 cents per manatee.
Also not to mention the fact that in Lee County they continue to heat the water up river to keep the manatee, "cozy warm"...
Didn't Flager, the railroad tycoon originally bring them here to feed his men working on the railroad and construction sites in Florida? They are not even indignant mammals to Florida at all... More things to make you go, hmmmmm...
01-05-2005, 12:51 PM
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Re: Latest Manatee Update from FL Today Newspaper.
You know, I've been thinking. All we need is an OSO Bar'B'Que to eliminate this problem.
Manatee meat has a mild taste and readily adapts to recipes for beef. Choice cuts of meat, primarily the tail and peduncle, can be used in any recipe. The body and flipper meat, with just a little extra preparation and special recipes, can be just as tasty. I recommend cubing the less-tender cuts for extra tenderness or pounding steaks with a meat mallet.
Regardless of what cut of manatee meat you are using, all fat and sinew must be removed before freezing or preparing. Even the yellowish fat between the layers should be removed. When using flipper or body meat, I would recommend removing the white tendons and vessels as well.
Also, for a quick meal at a later time, Manatee meat can be successfully frozen for over a year, by removing all fat, wrapping well in cellophane and then again in freezer paper. Manatee meat can be tenderized in several different ways. I like to run each piece of meat through a cubing machine. Other restauranteurs recommend pounding each peice of manatee with a meat mallet until thin, usually about one inch. It's best cutting manatee meat across the grain for a more tender piece of meat.
Body and flipper meat cuts are excellent choices for burgers, casseroles, ground meat, soups and stews. Peduncle and tail meat work well for roasts, steaks and barbecue.
Regardless of which cut of meat you use, you will find manatee to be a very delicious and versatile meat. It is also low in fat, making it a great item for the calorie conscious person.
A* - top of neck, cube or use mallet
B* - neck meat, cube or use mallet
C - back, tender
D - body meat
E - peduncle, very tender
F - tailmeat, very tender
G* flipper meat, must cube or use mallet
* less tender cuts
Manatee meat has a mild taste and readily adapts to recipes for beef. Choice cuts of meat, primarily the tail and peduncle, can be used in any recipe. The body and flipper meat, with just a little extra preparation and special recipes, can be just as tasty. I recommend cubing the less-tender cuts for extra tenderness or pounding steaks with a meat mallet.
Regardless of what cut of manatee meat you are using, all fat and sinew must be removed before freezing or preparing. Even the yellowish fat between the layers should be removed. When using flipper or body meat, I would recommend removing the white tendons and vessels as well.
Also, for a quick meal at a later time, Manatee meat can be successfully frozen for over a year, by removing all fat, wrapping well in cellophane and then again in freezer paper. Manatee meat can be tenderized in several different ways. I like to run each piece of meat through a cubing machine. Other restauranteurs recommend pounding each peice of manatee with a meat mallet until thin, usually about one inch. It's best cutting manatee meat across the grain for a more tender piece of meat.
Body and flipper meat cuts are excellent choices for burgers, casseroles, ground meat, soups and stews. Peduncle and tail meat work well for roasts, steaks and barbecue.
Regardless of which cut of meat you use, you will find manatee to be a very delicious and versatile meat. It is also low in fat, making it a great item for the calorie conscious person.
A* - top of neck, cube or use mallet
B* - neck meat, cube or use mallet
C - back, tender
D - body meat
E - peduncle, very tender
F - tailmeat, very tender
G* flipper meat, must cube or use mallet
* less tender cuts
