Apr 8 2005
Manatee deaths in Florida, after declining for the past three years, are rising again. This time boaters are not to blame. A recurring red tide over the southwest portion of the Florida coast appears to be the culprit.
The Florida Marine Laboratory in Sarasota describes a red tide:
"Red tides occur throughout the world, drastically affecting Scandinavian and Japanese fisheries, Caribbean and South Pacific reef fishes, and shell fishing along U.S. coasts. Most recently, it has been implicated in the deaths of hundreds of whales, dolphins, and manatees in North American waters. These red tides are caused by several species of marine phytoplankton, microscopic plant like cells that produce potent chemical toxins. The Florida red tide is caused by blooms of a dinoflagellate that produce potent neurotoxins. These toxins cause extensive fish kills, contaminate shellfish and create severe respiratory irritation to humans along the shore."
Just during the month of March, over 44 deaths have been directly linked to possible red tide contamination. In addition, the number of watercraft collision deaths has increased, perhaps due to weak animals being unable to avoid an oncoming boat.
These deaths, while unfortunate, are natural occurrences. It remains to be seen what effect they will have on the ever increasing battles between boating concerns and environmentalists. Most assuredly it will lead to more outcries for more strict boating regulations in manatee-inhabited waters. Time will tell.
