After reviewing the best scientific and commercial data, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes separate Endangered Species Act listings for two West Indian manatee subspecies. The proposed rule would recognize the Florida manatee as a threatened species with a blanket 4(d) rule and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species. Currently, the West Indian subspecies is considered one species and federally listed as a threatened species.
“For almost 60 years, the Service has worked closely with conservation partners to save Florida and Antillean manatees from extinction,” said Southeast Regional Director Mike Oetker. “The best available science always drives our decision-making, and we are committed to ensuring the protection and recovery of both subspecies of the West Indian manatee.”
Critical habitat for the Florida and Antillean subspecies is being addressed through a separate action proposed in the fall of 2024. The comment period for this proposed critical habitat designation was extended until Jan. 24, 2025. For more information and details on how to provide comments, please refer to our manatee critical habitat news release and FAQs.
The West Indian vareity, a large marine mammal protected under the ESA and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, feeds primarily on freshwater and marine plants. In marine and estuarine habitats, they also seek out sources of fresh drinking water. The Florida and Antillean manatees share a similar appearance and can generally be distinguished only through skeletal measurements or genetic analysis. One notable difference is size, with the Florida manatee typically larger and heavier than the Antillean manatee. Despite their similar appearance, the Florida and Antillean manatees have distinct ranges, face different threats, and require unique conservation efforts.
Both species face significant threats including watercraft collisions, habitat loss, seagrass decline, coastal development, human interactions, harmful algal blooms and climate change impacts. Florida manatees are particularly vulnerable to losing warm-water refuges, while Antillean manatees face additional challenges from poaching and limited genetic diversity.
The proposed rule will publish in the Federal Register on Jan. 14, 2025, opening a 60-day public day comment period. The Service will accept comments received or postmarked before March 17, 2025. A virtual public hearing is scheduled for Feb 26, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. EST. Online registration is required at Manatee Virtual Public Hearing | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
The proposal, supporting materials and instructions to submit comments are at www.federalregister.gov by searching under docket number FWS-R4-ES-2024-0050.
For more information on the proposal and participating in the public involvement process, please visit our frequently asked questions website.