Manatee mortality high in Florida (Photo: Cuban newspaper)
Miami-Dade authorities will implement a plan to educate citizens on proper boating practices with the goal of preventing manatee deaths in waterways.
Miami-Dade County News reported that before the closure of several places to prevent the spread of Covid-19 coronavirus, a large number of citizens decided to go to open places such as Biscayne Bay.
Although this place has become a safe and pleasant space for families, the increase in boats in the bay increased accidents and also the death of this species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission reported that 33 individuals died in the bay in 2020, more than half the number in 2019 when 15 deaths were reported.
The authorities have predicted that possibly in 2021 the death of manatees due to boat traffic will reach a record number since in January and February 14 deaths were detected.
As part of this plan, the Maritime Patrol Unit will carry out a series of actions to inform sailors about the use of safer traffic practices, such as moving at low speed to protect the aforementioned species.
The initiative will begin tomorrow, Saturday at 9:30 am at the Pelican Harbor Marina, located at 1275 NE 79 St. Miami, Florida 33138.
Involved in the plan are the Department of Economic Resources and Regulation, the Main Bay Office, the Miami-Dade County Police Department and the aforementioned commission.
In addition to boats, the lack of food sources such as seagrass is causing high manatee deaths throughout Florida.
According to experts, so far this year, more than 600 dead specimens have already been found, most in the Indian River lagoon where they commonly take refuge during the winter.
Jaclyn López, state director of the Center for Biological Biodiversity, explained to Telemundo 51 that the excess of nutrients in the water caused an overpopulation of marine algae that darkened this area, preventing the growth of seagrasses.
Another factor was the long winter season, a time when manatees are very vulnerable.
“If there is an extended period of cold like last season, this represents a big problem, since these animals are very sensitive to low temperatures and in the cold they can even die,” said Ron Magill, Director of Communications at the Zoo of Miami.