Manatee Protection Level: Should it be Lowered?

Anyone who wants to have a say as the federal government considers loosening protections for manatees only has a few days left to do so.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has set a Sept. 2 deadline for public comments as it considers reclassifying the West Indian manatee species, and its subspecies – Florida manatee and Antillean manatee – from endangered to threatened. While most protections would still remain in place, the move would ease some restrictions that boating and tourism interests are concerned with.

The number of manatee deaths in 2013 was 830, which set a new record, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Even so, federal reviewers have indicated the petition for reclassification has merit.

“Based on our review, we find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted,” U.S. wildlife officials wrote in an action statement recorded in the Federal Register.

Manatees have been on the U.S. government’s endangered species list since it was created back in 1967.

Anyone who would like to submit opinions on the potential status change has until Tuesday to do so. Information on how to submit is available on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website. It is unclear when the wildlife service will make a final determination on the status.

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