Water-Related News

FWC asks lawmakers for $7M to save Florida’s beloved manatees

VOLUSIA COUNTY – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking state lawmakers for more money to help manatees.

Manatee are among Florida's most popular sea creatures. There are tourist parks dedicated to the gentle giants but a lack of food is now challenging an already threatened population.

“We've had 957 manatee deaths this calendar year and due to that east coast event, this is a record level of mortality,” Gil McRae said.

McRae is director of FWC's research institute and spoke this week before the House Agriculture and Natural Resources appropriations subcommittee.

At the meeting, McRae asked for $7 million in 2022.