Florida’s Manatees in Peril: Pollution Claims 10% of Population in Just 5 Months

The year 2021 has brought immense challenges for Florida’s beloved manatees, with a staggering toll of 761 of these gentle creatures lost in just five months, amounting to a devastating 10% of the state’s manatee population.

The sunshine state’s iconic West Indian manatees are facing an unprecedented crisis as they grapple with starvation caused by the scarcity of their primary food source, seagrass. Tragically, this predicament is intrinsically linked to the heavy pollution plaguing some of Florida’s waters, and experts anticipate this distressing trend will persist.

Patrick Rose, the Executive Director of the Save the Manatee Club, expressed deep concern, stating, “We’ve never had anything like this before. Man’s actions have really caused a major decline in the seagrass available.”

Manatees, renowned vegetarians, primarily feast on seagrasses, algae, and various aquatic plants. Their vulnerability to low water temperatures leads them to overwinter in areas with consistently warm waters. One such favored sanctuary for these heat-seeking mammals is the Indian River Lagoon on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, where warm water from Florida Power and Light power plants maintains comfortable temperatures.

However, this otherwise suitable habitat is now besieged by sewage discharge and agricultural runoff, culminating in harmful algal “superblooms” that prevent sunlight from penetrating the lagoon. This light deprivation poses a significant obstacle to the growth of seagrasses, leaving the waters resembling “pea soup,” as described by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission veterinarian Martine de Wit. Each year, nearly two and a half million pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus, originating from agriculture, lawn fertilizers, and leaking septic tanks, pour into the lagoon.

Rehabilitation centers are currently overwhelmed by the influx of sick and emaciated manatees, struggling to keep pace with rescue efforts. Fortunately, concerned citizens and environmentalists have taken action, and efforts to reduce nutrient pollution are underway. According to supervising environmental scientist Charles Jacoby, initiatives aimed at reducing phosphorus content in wastewater, replacing or eliminating old septic tanks, and cleaning up layers of muck at the lagoon’s bottom are already in progress, though it may take years to witness significant improvements.

Despite the dire situation, there remains optimism among researchers regarding the future of these endearing creatures. Populations on Florida’s west coast remain stable, and there is hope that, in the long term, the east coast populations will also recover. The dedication of those working to protect these manatees and restore their habitat offers a glimmer of hope in these challenging times.