Are Florida Manatees In Decline? – IDEAS For Us

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recorded 819 manatee deaths from January 1, 2021 to June 25, 2021,¹ 182 more deaths than recorded in total in 2020 (637 deaths).² 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has  declared the Atlantic Florida Manatee crisis as an “Unusual Mortality Event” (UME), due to the significant die-off of the manatee population, demanding an immediate response. The FWC records show that more than 5 manatee deaths have been recorded every day since January 1, 2021.