(Savethemanatee.org, Patrick Rose, Feb. 17, 2021)
This article states that massive losses in seagrass coverage resulted in manatee deaths the Indian River Lagoon. The Fish and Wildlife federally managed Manatee Recovery Program is underfunded and neglected, leaving manatees and manatee habitat to suffer the effects of habitat overdevelopment. This resulted in staffing reductions and no active Manatee Recovery Team, Manatee Implementation Team or Manatee Warm-Water Task Force. The article recommends contacting Governor DeSantis and urge him to support the FWC in its role as the lead coordinator of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. To read the entire article, click here.