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Expired~ Action Alert Manatee Report from the Last Days of The 106th Congress |
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MANATEE REPORT FROM THE LAST
DAYS OF THE 106th CONGRESS:
A Million for Manatees Update The situation is urgent for these gentle salt- and fresh-water dwelling mammals. The first three months of this year produced a record 100 manatee deaths overall – the highest count of manatee mortality ever. The greatest human-related threats are boating accidents that knock manatees unconscious, keeping them from reaching the surface to breathe. According to state records, there are 800,000 registered boats in Florida, and an additional estimated 300,000 water craft visit Florida each year. In recent years, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has deployed a special enforcement task force at high peak traffic times of the year in high risk areas for the manatee. The patrols are critical in order to protect our manatees from being slaughtered by speeding and careless boaters. With U.S. Congressman Bill Young’s (R-10th, St. Petersberg & Largo) help, we have already been successful in getting more funds for such “on the water” enforcement in the House version of next year’s interior budget. However, the Senate side of the budget did not mention the increase. Bill Young needs your support! Please write thanking him for increased financial support to protect manatees in their own habitat. Also, copy that letter to Representative Regula, who is the chair of the subcommittee on the Interior.
MANATEE DEATHS AT RECORD HIGHS! As boat collisions, habitat destruction from developments and natural disasters such as “red tide” sink the endangered manatee further toward extinction, experts tracking population numbers report that manatee deaths are at record highs. Last year, human use of the waterways killed 82 manatees, the highest number in recorded history! (Oftentimes, manatees are rendered unconscious during a boar collisions and are later found drowned.) Alarmingly, experts are seeing an even higher number this year of manatees deaths from boats -- thirty one manatees in just the first three months of 2000 -- according to an unconfirmed report provided by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.This is a matter of the utmost urgency. With U.S. Senator Bob Graham’s help, manatee protectionists have already been successful in getting the Service’s budget for manatee protection increased this fiscal year. This money is intended to go toward on-water enforcement, to assess the need for new sanctuaries and reserves, and to ensure the stability of manatee warm water refuges. However, this money was necessary before the urgency of manatee mortality numbers were known. And although the proposed budget of $500,000 might look impressive to citizens, it is not large enough to address the immediate problem of manatee extinction. What we need to do now is to DOUBLE the ADD-ON APPROPRIATION to the government’s budget for manatee protection for next fiscal year. One of the most powerful members of Congress is Florida’s own, C.W. “Bill” Young, (R-10th District, Fla.). Representative Young is known throughout Congress for his love of wildlife – we need to educate him that the people of the nation are alarmed at the number of manatee deaths and immediate attention to the problem is needed.In recent years, the government has deployed a special enforcement task force at high peak traffic times of the year in areas where manatees are most frequently killed. These patrols are crucial to the survival of the species in order to protect our manatees from being slaughtered by speeding and careless boaters. Just a few months ago, the Florida papers reported that lobbyists for the marine interests are trying to accelerate boat access to manatee habitat without the necessary protection measures in place. It is our job to keep the waters safe for endangered manatees.WHAT YOU CAN DO:Please immediately contact the following list of U.S. Representatives and Senators. Let them know that the outrageously high manatee mortality from boat collisions constitutes an emergency situation. Let them know you support additional funding for the Service’’s manatee protection efforts in Florida, including more on-water law enforcement. ASK FOR AN ADD-ON APPROPRIATION FOR MANATEES TO THE SERVICE’’S BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR STARTING IN OCTOBER, 2000. The manatee population cannot possibly sustain this record-setting mortality for long without dire consequences to its future as a viable species in the wild. Please make your voice heard for our voiceless friends. Many, many thanks! WHAT YOU CAN DO: back to the top Wildlife Advocacy
Project Phone: (202) 518-3700 |
