Fisheries & Marine Life

 

Fla. Tallies Record Manatee Deaths In 2021. According to Politico, “A record 1,101 manatees died in 2021, according to a final tally from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. State agencies intervened multiple times in the year to attempt to save the dwindling population, but despite their efforts, 12.5 percent of Florida’s 8,810 manatees died last year. Just last month, the Florida commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved a number of mitigation efforts to address the manatee deaths, including feeding the malnourished animals romaine lettuce (Greenwire, Dec. 8, 2021). In July, the Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries decided to classify the increased deaths as an unusual mortality event, citing complications from climate change and water pollution as compounding factors (E&E News PM, July 9, 2021). Starvation added to the die-off as manatees moved to find warm-water refuges as weather turned cold, and water pollution made it harder for them to find sea grass and other vegetation. Sewage and fertilizer runoff have killed large swaths of sea grasses. Just in the Indian River Lagoon, on the east Coast of Florida, more than 500 manatees have died due to starvation. There is warmer water at that location from a local power plant but not reliable food in the area.” [Politico, 1/6/22 (=)]

 

When Endangered Species Recover, Humans May Need To Make Room For Them – And It’s Not Always Easy. According to The Conversation, “Coexisting with some recovering species can be more controversial and delicate to manage, especially if they are perceived as threats to public safety or property. Along the northeast U.S. coast and up into Canada, white sharks once were severely overfished but are now rebounding in response to climate change, protection efforts and growing populations of seals, their preferred prey. As top predators, sharks help control other ocean species and increase ocean carbon storage. They also are one of the few shark species known to attack humans. Over the past several years, lifeguards have repeatedly closed popular beaches along Cape Cod in Massachusetts when white sharks are present. Warnings and restrictions intensified after a shark killed a swimmer in 2018. Such measures often spark declines in tourism, but in some places the presence of sharks is slowly becoming an attraction. Nevertheless, the growing abundance of white sharks is divisive. As shark numbers and sightings increase, scientists and local officials are working to raise awareness and educate the public about them. Monitoring shark movement with drones and other equipment can also help lifeguards warn beachgoers that sharks are present in advance.” [The Conversation, 1/6/22 (+)]

 

 

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