A: Following a review of two petitions to uplist the West Indian manatee, the Service is proposing to separately list under the Endangered Species Act the two subspecies of the West Indian manatee —the Florida manatee as a threatened species with blanket 4(d) regulations and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species. If finalized, the rule would reclassify the West Indian manatee from its current status as a threatened species. 

The proposed 4(d) rule for the Florida manatee applies the “blanket” 4(d) rule, which allows the Service to apply all of the section 9 prohibitions to threatened species and allow for greater efficiencies. By proposing the blanket 4(d) rule for the Florida manatee, the Service is providing consistency with how we currently manage the West Indian manatee in Florida. Currently, the West Indian manatee is protected by the “blanket” 4(d) rule. 

A: The West Indian manatee includes two subspecies, the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus), which are recognized by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System and currently protected under the Endangered Species Act as part of the threatened West Indian manatee species-level listing. However, the subspecies are mostly isolated from each other and have unique management and conservation needs. 

Florida manatees occur at the northern limits of the species’ range and are vulnerable to cold stress, requiring warm-water habitat in the winter. This is not a habitat requirement for Antillean manatees that live in warmer waters along their range. In addition, the scale, magnitude, and timing of threats to the subspecies differ. 

A: In 2021, the Service received a petition to reclassify (uplist) the Puerto Rico population of the Antillean manatee as an endangered distinct population segment. In 2022, the Service received a petition seeking to reclassify the West Indian manatee (including its subspecies Antillean and Florida manatee) as an endangered species. 

In October 2023, the Service published a 90-day finding on those petitions indicating the petitioned actions may be warranted and announced that the agency would be conducting an in-depth status review. These determinations and proposed actions, based on the best available scientific and commercial information, constitute our 12-month findings on the two petitions.

A: The Service based its decision to propose listing for the Florida manatee on the most recent abundance estimate, published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in 2023, which estimates there are between 8,350 and 11,730 Florida manatees. Future projections indicate a low probability of extinction (< 1%) over the next 150 years for the Florida manatee. While ongoing threats are expected to persist and may intensify, the species’ adaptive capacity, extensive range, and utilization of diverse regions and habitats may mitigate some of these challenges.

Under the ESA, an endangered species is one at risk of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, while a threatened species is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Based on a comprehensive review of scientific and commercial data, including threats and population analyses, the Service proposes listing the Florida manatee as threatened because it does not currently meet the ESA’s definition of an endangered species.

Regarding the Antillean manatee, available data indicate a decline in abundance across most of its range due to ongoing and significant threats, including poaching, low genetic diversity, watercraft collisions, and habitat loss. 

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A: The two subspecies appear similar and can typically only be distinguished through skeletal measurements or genetic analysis. A difference commonly reported between the two subspecies is size. Florida manatees are typically larger and heavier than Antillean manatees. Despite their similar appearances, their ranges as well as their threats and conservation requirements differ significantly.

A:  The Florida manatee is found along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts and in northern portions of the Caribbean, from the Bahamas to Turks and Caicos. 

Antillean manatees are found in the northern Caribbean, including Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and occasionally in the Virgin Islands; in Central America from Mexico’s southeast Caribbean coast to the Caribbean coast of Panama; Trinidad and Tobago; and south to Brazil’s Atlantic coastline.

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A:Primary threats to the Florida manatee are watercraft collisions, habitat loss (including seagrass loss) and modification from coastal development, unusual mortality events, harmful algal blooms, human interactions, loss of warm-water sites, and climate change climate change
Climate change includes both global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and the resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns. Though there have been previous periods of climatic change, since the mid-20th century humans have had an unprecedented impact on Earth's climate system and caused change on a global scale.

Learn more about climate change .

Primary threats to the Antillean manatee are watercraft collisions, habitat loss (including seagrass loss), coastal development, harmful algal blooms, human interactions, poaching, and low genetic diversity.  

A. No, the number of Florida manatees dying from starvation due to lack of seagrass over the past two winters was significantly lower compared to the winters of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. With improved foraging opportunities in certain areas of Mosquito Lagoon, agencies anticipatefavorable conditions to persist. Nonetheless, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Service, and their conservation partners remain vigilant in monitoring manatee health and helping as needed. More information is available at Manatee Mortality Event Along The East Coast | FWC.

A:  When the Service lists a species or subspecies, it does so across the entire range. While the prohibitions of the Endangered Species Act apply solely to individuals within U.S. jurisdiction, listing a species with foreign populations under the ESA can generate conservation benefits such as heightened awareness of listed species, research endeavors aimed at addressing conservation needs, and funding for conservation efforts spanning the species' global range. The ESA facilitates limited financial assistance to establish and manage conservation programs in foreign countries, support conservation initiatives for these species, and help with programs related to personnel and training. 

A. Key recovery plans include the Puerto Rican Population of the Antillean Manatee Recovery Plan (USFWS 1986), the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan, Third Revision (USFWS 2001), and the South Florida Multi-Species Recovery Plan (USFWS 1999). Each of these plans aims to reduce manatee mortality and injury, protect their habitats, and monitor both manatee populations and habitats.

A:  Stakeholders and the public play a vital role in ensuring final decisions are informed by the best scientific and commercial information available. Service staff carefully review all comments and information before making a final decision.

The Service will accept comments postmarked on or before March 17, 2025. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the closing date. Supporting materials are available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2024-0050.

Comments will also be accepted during a virtual public hearing on Feb. 26, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. EST. Online registration is required at Manatee Virtual Public Hearing | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

A: The Service extended the comment period on the proposed Florida and Antillean manatee critical habitat designation. Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene and Milton on Florida, the ongoing comment period will be extended until January 24, 2025. All comments must be received or postmarked by that date. The public is invited to submit any scientific information pertinent to these proposed actions. Comments already submitted do not need to be resubmitted, and they will be considered in the final decisions for the Florida and Antillean manatee species. 

More information on proposed manatee critical habitat:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Extends Comment Period on Proposed Florida and Antillean Manatee Critical Habitat Designation | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 

Proposed Revisions to Critical Habitat for West Indian Manatee  Frequently Asked Questions 

A:  Many conservation organizations are actively working to protect and preserve manatees. Here are some ways you support manatee conservation:

• Look for manatees before cranking the boat motor.
• Use caution when navigating in shallow water. Manatees have greater difficulty diving away from boats in these areas.
• Heed “slow speed,” “no wake,” and manatee warning signs, especially around docks.
• Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare, making it easier to spot manatees below the water surface.
• Watch for large swirls in the water, called footprints, that may be caused by manatees diving away from the boat.
• Never feed manatees or give them fresh water. This could teach the animals to approach humans and dangerous areas, like docks, putting them at greater risk of a boat strike. It is also illegal to feed and water manatees.
• Never pursue, harass, or play with manatees. These actions are also illegal.
• Report injured, orphaned, entangled, distressed, or dead manatees to your state’s wildlife agency.