I recently received an email from a worker from the state of Florida regarding my website. Listed below it the coorespondance.
From: ABELLEB@gfc.state.fl.us
I thought your site was interesting in a warped sort of way. I used your
extreme tracking service to see if I could figure out who your visitors were.
It seems you may be getting hits from children who are searching for information
for school projects. I am sure their parents are not pleased with what you are
promoting. Although, it may give parents the opportunity to discuss the extreme
measures that some people will go to in order to express their opinions--it's a
free county.
I would like to clear up a few misconceptions about manatees for you. Manatees
are native to Florida. They were not imported here for weed control. The West
Indian manatee and its subspecies, the Florida manatee, have lived around
Florida for millions of years. A skeleton, recently found in Jamaica, shows
that manatees evolved from a four-footed land dwelling mammal. While you may
think that eliminating them by further destroying their population is the way to
deal with them, many others in Florida and around the world are trying to keep
this small population alive.
You are correct that the number of Florida manatees has increased. Manatees are
about evenly split on both coasts. Researchers have further split the state
into four areas. In the northern areas, the population has stabilized or grown.
Unfortunately, it only accounts for about 20% of the population. In the
southeast area, the population has leveled off and may be in decline because of
adult survival rate. The southwest area is currently being researched.
Research on the manatee began in the 70s. We still have much to learn about
them. When the government agencies are satisfied that the human impacts to the
manatee population and habitat are controlled enough for a viable population to
survive, then the manatee should be downlisted from endangered to threatened.
If all goes well, that may occur in 5-10 years time. If further human impacts
occur (illegal BBQs included) then more restrictions will probably occur as
well.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's mission is to manage
fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of
the people. In order to do that, rules are made to regulate people who impact
whatever species is concerned. Since manatees are not terrestrial, the only
place that people can be managed is on the waterways. Florida manatees are here
to stay. If you can come up with a better way to help the species survive and
for you to recreate in their habitat, please drop me a line. I am all for a
boater's license similar to a driver's license, better law enforcement and
educated boaters. If you have other constructive ideas, please let me know.
Have a great day!
Bonnie J. Abellera
OMCI - Education Section
Bureau of Protected Species Management
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(850) 922-4330
http://www.state.fl.us/fwc/psm/