Manatee Population Up; Reclassification Urged

Apr 09, 09:10 PM

Current Headlines: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ A federal panel of biologists on Monday recommended reclassifying the manatee from endangered to threatened, a highly controversial move long sought by the boating industry.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the results of a five-year review of the grass-munching mammal's status and found that numbers in Florida had increased and that the species no longer met the standards for classification at the highest threat level. Although manatees faced a high risk of declining numbers, the biologists said, the chances of extinction were low.

"Based on the science, it is clear that manatees are no longer facing extinction in all or a significant portion of its range," said Dave Hankla, field supervisor in the wildlife service's Jacksonville, Fla., office. "However, because of the uncertainties surrounding threats that still exist, such as the loss of warm-water sources and continued watercraft mortalities, it is also just as clear that the species' appropriate classification is threatened."

Manatees range from Georgia to Texas, although the core of their habitat is Florida. The most recent count found 3,300 manatees in Florida waters, one of the highest numbers in recent years.

The significance of the announcement is unclear. There is no difference in legal protection between endangered and threatened species. And the recommendation to reclassify the manatee will remain a recommendation until federal biologists submit a formal proposal. They said they had no plans to do so immediately because that would lead to a lengthy and expensive process that would divert resources from protecting manatees.

But wildlife advocates said the announcement makes it less likely the state or federal governments will impose additional restrictions on boating or waterfront development.

Patrick Rose, executive director of Save the Manatee Club, said he was relieved the federal government appeared to not be immediately moving forward on the recommendation. But he said he was concerned the boating industry, through sympathetic officials in the administration, would pressure the federal government to move ahead with the reclassification.

And even on its own, he said, the recommendation is likely to be invoked by pro-business state legislators seeking to weaken restrictions on waterfront development.

"Those who want less regulations would be more likely to get it," Rose said.

Boaters and the boating industry long have sought a change in the manatee's legal status, arguing that the manatee was doing so well that there was no justification for tight restrictions on speed and the construction of facilities such as docks and marinas.

"We're pleased that they're considering it," said Ted Forsgren, executive director of Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, a fishing group. "We felt all along that the manatee in Florida was doing extremely well."

Frank Herhold, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, said the industry wanted only a sense of balance between wildlife protection and economic growth.

"If the Fish and Wildlife Service changes the designation from endangered to threatened, I think that will send a message that we've accomplished something significant," he said. "We can't lose sight of the fact that Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world."

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GRAPHIC (from MCT Graphics, 202-383-6064): 20070409 MANATEE

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