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Based on recovered carcasses and animals known to have 

 died but which were not recovered, manatee mortalities in 

 U.S. waters since 1977 have been as follows: 



Year 



From Florida 



Outside Florida 



Total' 



The high mortalities in 1977, 1981, and 1982 were largely 

 related to unusual phenomena — extended periods of cold 

 weather in 1977 and 1981 and an occurrence of red tide in 

 1982. 



As indicated in the previous Annual Report, despite the 

 serious problems confronting the Florida population of 

 manatees, the Commission has been encouraged by the development 

 of strong, cooperative efforts among the responsible Federal 

 and state agencies and private groups to increase protection 

 of the species. Of particular note have been the recent 

 efforts to address manatee mortality and injury resulting 

 from collisions with boats. The Florida Department of 

 Natural Resources and the Fish and Wildlife Service have 

 cooperated to establish slow speed zones for boats in important 

 manatee habitats; the Corps of Engineers has provided funds 

 and assistance to help post signs to alert boaters to the 

 presence of manatees; and the Florida Department of Natural 

 Resources, the Florida Power and Light Company, and the 

 Florida Audubon Society have cooperated on extensive public 

 information and education programs directed in large part at 

 the boating public. Data from the Fish and Wildlife Service 

 manatee salvage program indicate that boat collisions have 

 been the major cause of human-related manatee mortality, and 

 losses attributed to this source have been 21 animals in 

 1978, 24 animals in 1979, 16 animals in 1980, 24 animals in 

 1981, and 21 animals in 1982. During 1983, 14 manatee 



Total manatee mortality levels given in past Annual Reports 

 have reflected only the number of West Indian manatee carcasses 

 recovered. Data provided here differ slightly since both 

 recovered and confirmed but unrecovered carcasses are included. 



