Responding To Club`s Urging, Governor Asks FWC To Postpone

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Good News!
Responding To Club’s Urging,
Governor Asks FWC To Postpone
Endangered Manatee’s Reclassification
By Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist, Executive Director
W
e have incredible news to report!
Calling the manatee one of Florida’s beloved natural resources, Governor
Charlie Crist issued a letter on September 10th to Rodney Barreto, Chair of
the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission), asking
the Commission to postpone the vote on whether to downlist the manatee. The Governor
questioned the accuracy of the method used to estimate the size of the manatee population,
and expressed concern over last year’s record-setting 417 manatee deaths.
“What you do is in my heart…I want to specifically thank you for your protection
of the manatee.” — Governor Crist to the FWC Commissioners during the final day
of their meeting on September 14th.
500 N. Maitland Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751
November, Volume 26
Issue #4 of 2007
Published four times a year
in March, June, September
and November
If you do not have internet access,
please request a hard copy of any
web site article referred to within this
newsletter by calling 1-800-432-JOIN.
Thank you.
On September 12th, the Commission was scheduled to vote on whether to reclassify the
manatee at the state level from “endangered” to “threatened” status based on listing/delisting
rule criteria that Save the Manatee Club and other environmental groups have continually
called greatly flawed, and that was objected to by numerous scientists worldwide. Although
the Commission did postpone the vote, they could revisit it as early as December.
Ironically, on the same day, the IUCN World Conservation Union (IUCN) came out with
its 2007 Red List of Threatened Species. Based on the most recent scientific data, the Florida
manatee was upgraded at the international level to “endangered.”
How could the FWC, claiming to be using IUCN’s widely supported listing/delisting
criteria, conclude that manatees no longer meet the criteria for endangered and move to
downlist them, while the IUCN itself finds that manatees do, in fact, warrant reclassification but to a higher level of imperilment.
Here’s what happened: In 2005, the FWC changed its imperiled species classification
system by supposedly adopting
IUCN’s. FWC did adopt IUCN’s
criteria for classes of imperilment.
But then they arbitrarily gave
those species that met those
criteria new labels. FWC took
IUCN’s criteria for “endangered”
but arbitrarily listed them as
“threatened” instead. In effect,
they raised the bar for what would
qualify a species to be classified as
endangered – and raised it so high
that only very few of Florida’s
most imperiled species would
be able to meet the stringent new
criteria and therefore face very
bleak chances for survival. That’s
why endangered manatees and
many other Florida species will
Ron Ginn (left), Grace Campbell (Center),
be downlisted unless the rule
and Amy Campbell attend FWC meeting.
Photo by Terry Nearing.
is changed.
continued on page 4
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Manatee Concerns Lead Charge To Stop Marina
By Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist, Executive Director
W
eeks of intense
negotiations went
into persuading the
developer to drop his
plans for a 500 slip marina on the
St. Johns River just south of Blue
Spring, the winter sanctuary for
many of our adoptees. Save the
Manatee Club joined forces with the
Florida Department of Community
Affairs, and others, to eliminate the
marina during a three day hearing.
Although the judge has not yet
ruled (as we go to print), we feel
confident he will find the commercial marina inconsistent with
the very high quality resources
of the area, which is extremely
critical manatee habitat, as well as
habitat for myriad other wildlife
species. It looks like manatees and
wildlife will win this one, thanks to
the strong stand the Florida Department of Community Affairs has
taken against the siting of this
commercial marina, along with
the collective efforts of the Club,
local residents, and the Seminole
Audubon
You can request a hi-res jpeg of this ad for your company
Chapter.
newsletters. E-mail: [email protected]
It is your
support that
has allowed
us to engage
in this
vigorous
battle to
defend
manatees
and their
habitat.
It has also
been your
support
in writing
Governor
Crist
that has
influenced
the state
to fight this
advocacy for protecting manatees.
very bad project.
You can make a donation online
I personally thank you for your
at www.savethemanatee.org/
past generous help and ask that you
donation.htm, or call us at
consider making a donation now
1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
so we can continue our unwavering
Manatees Continue To Die In Near Record Numbers
By Kate Cassim, Biologist
2
Sadly, 276 manatees died in
Florida between January 1st and
August 31st, 2007, which is only
slightly less than the 286 found
dead last year, an all time record
year with a total of 417 deaths.
Unfortunately, deaths from boat
strikes are keeping pace at 70 so far
this year, compared to 71 from last
year, which was the second worst
year for manatee deaths from boat
strikes. All other human-caused
manatee deaths are also higher than
last year, as are deaths from natural
causes and perinatal deaths (manatees
less than 150 cm in length).
Frustratingly, the areas of greatest
concern have not changed. Lee
County leads by a large margin, yet
again, in both overall deaths and in
those from boat strikes. The death
toll is already at 78 within the county,
with 13 due to watercraft. The total
mortality in the county has increased
by 20 deaths from the August 2006
counts. Lee is followed, as in the
previous year, by Brevard County
(42), Volusia County (24) and Citrus
County (11). The numbers in Citrus
County are quite alarming, as 6 of
11 deaths, over half of those reported,
have been attributed to watercraft.
In fact, a review of the data shows
an increase in the number of manatee
deaths this year in over half of those
counties where deaths were reported
last year!
It is obvious from these reports
that the protections for manatees
are not strong enough, especially in
counties like Lee. The situation is
so dire in Southwest Florida, that
even if no additional watercraftrelated manatee deaths occurred,
the recovery of that subpopulation
may not be possible. This year’s
death toll so far is very disheartening, and it is clear the threats to
manatees have not been reduced.
Your help to prevent cuts in on-water
law enforcement patrols, for the
passage of mandatory boater education legislation, for better signage,
and for additional protection measures where necessary is vital in order
to reduce the largely preventable
manatee deaths from boat strikes.
Please know that we are ratcheting
up our pressure on state and federal
government to stop this alarming
trend in boats killing manatees.
Although the agencies have begun
to take some actions in response to
our urging, with your continuing
help, we will be demanding they
do much more. We are also actively
raising funds to hire off-duty
officers to increase protections
in the most critical areas.
You helped us get Governor Crist
to intervene for manatees and your
continued help will allow us to keep
the Governor involved.
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Celebrities Help Spread Manatee Message
By Janice Nearing, Director of Public Relations
From left to right: Jimmy Buffett, Co-founder and Co-Chair of Save the Manatee Club (photo by John Haynsworth);
John Lithgow (photo by Terry Nearing); Carl Hiaasen and Wil Shriner (photo by Terry Nearing); and Alec Baldwin
(photo by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders).
W
hen celebrities speak,
the fans listen. So, when
a popular songwriter,
movie star, TV personality, or an author embraces a cause,
admiring fans are often inspired to
follow their example.
Over the years, a variety of
special celebrities have supported
Save the Manatee Club by lending
their name and fame to public
service messages (PSAs) created
to both educate the public about
manatees and motivate folks to
support our conservation efforts.
Who’s on Board?
Singer/songwriter, Jimmy Buffett,
co-founded the Club in 1981, and
continues to serve as the Co-Chair
of our board of directors. Jimmy has
recorded many radio and television
PSAs for us. And we continue to
receive enormous support across the
country from the fans of his music,
the Parrot Heads.
Film, television, and theater actor,
as well as children’s author, John
Lithgow, appeared in a national
television PSA for the Club during
the promotion of his successful
children’s book, “I’m a Manatee.”
Award-winning writer Carl
Hiaasen, and director and comedian
Wil Shriner, participated in a
national television PSA while promoting the family movie, Hoot,
based on Carl’s acclaimed book.
Hollywood actor and producer
Alec Baldwin, the Golden Globe
winner of NBC TV’s Emmy awardnominated comedy series, 30 Rock,
recently recorded two national radio
public service announcements to
help the manatees.
A variety of national publications
also feature the Club’s print PSAs,
including Oprah Magazine, which
is circulated to over two and a half
million readers.
We are also proud to have
within our membership many other
noteworthy celebrities, including
a world-renowned symphony
composer and conductor, an
award-winning songwriter, the
author of a popular book series,
and a soap opera star.
Who’s next? The possibilities
are exciting and endless, which
only bodes well for the manatees
who truly need all the help they
can get.
Matching Gifts Programs
The company you work for could have a Matching Gifts Program. If they do, your employer
may be able to match your donations to Save the Manatee Club. Thanks for checking it out.
More Good News!
Save the Manatee Club has successfully fought for comprehensive
boat speed zones for more than two
decades. Although numerous speed
zones are now in place, lack of an
on-water law enforcement presence
and low boater compliance with
speed zones contribute to a high
manatee death toll each year from
boat strikes. After years of our
relentless advocacy for mandatory
boater education for all ages of
boaters, the Florida Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Commission will
support a bill in the 2008 Florida
Legislative Session to do just that!
A better educated boater is the
key to raising compliance with
speed zones and reducing manatee
deaths from boat strikes. Florida
leads the nation in the number
of human deaths from boating
accidents, and a mandatory boater
education bill will save both people
and manatees. Sign up to become
a member of our Email Action
Alert Team now so we can keep
you posted on the progress of
this bill (and other bills) and how
you can help make it law. Go to:
www.savethemanatee.org/action.htm
and help us out.
3
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Responding To Club’s Urging, Governor…
continued from page 1
With record-setting mortality
last year, continuing high mortality
this year, threats from both human
and natural causes escalating, and
now, with the manatee’s international status clearly established
as endangered, it is time to kill the
downlisting idea. The Commission
needs to fix their classification
system to truly align it with
IUCN’s so that all species can
be fairly reviewed, classified
properly, and managed accordingly
to sustain and even grow their
numbers in the wild.
I loudly applaud Governor
Crist for his action and thank
the Commission for a reprieve.
Heartfelt thanks to our incredible
members and supporters for help
on this critical issue. Now we
must act quickly and decisively.
Take Action
Send an online letter to
Governor Crist asking him to:
1. Retain the manatee’s
endangered status and
2. Revise Florida’s imperiled
species classification system
in order to give manatees
and other imperiled animals
and plants a fair shake.
Go to:
www.savethemanatee.org/
actionalert.cfm?id=20
Donate Now!
Please donate now: Support our ongoing efforts to protect manatees and our work
on many other critical conservation issues. You can donate online from our secure server.
Go to: www.savethemanatee.org/donation.htm, or call us toll-free at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646).
Thank you so much for your help!
See Florida’s Wild And Wonderful Manatees This Winter
21st Annual
Florida Manatee Festival
January 12–13, 2008
Crystal River, Citrus County, FL
Contact Citrus County Chamber
of Commerce at (352) 726-2801 or
visit www.citruscountychamber.com
Artists from around the country
display their works, and conservation
groups, including Save the Manatee
Club, set up education exhibits.
23rd Annual
Blue Spring Manatee Festival
January 26–27, 2008
Orange City, Volusia County, FL
Contact (386) 775-9224 or visit
www.themanateefestival.com
16th Annual Apollo Beach
Manatee Arts Festival
March 8–9, 2008
Apollo Beach, FL
Contact (813) 645-1366 or visit
[email protected]
Live entertainment, arts and
crafts, and more! Hop on a shuttle
bus to Blue Spring State Park to
see endangered manatees! Stop
by the Club’s booth, too, and
adopt a manatee!
Juried artists and craftsman participate in this premier arts event.
Visit the Manatee Viewing Center
from the festival site. Say hello to
Save the Manatee Club volunteers
in the main exhibition tent!
Club table at Manatee Festival, Blue Spring State Park.
Photo by Terry Nearing.
Crowds gather at the Florida Manatee Festival in
Crystal River. Photo courtesy Helen Spivey.
Cool Manatee Stuff!
Learn about manatees, and have fun doing it! Watch a video, listen to manatee sounds,
send a postcard, take a quiz, and much more. Go to www.savethemanatee.org/coolstuff.htm
4
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Sign up to receive our Action Alerts at www.savethemanatee.org/action.htm
Lazy Autumn Days
S
ummer faded fast.
Luckily, we still got
those strong high tides
that allowed Betsy
and Lorelei to get to some of their
favorite shoreline plants for a snack
between feedings.
Ariel continues her habit of
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Update,
by Park Ranger Matt Robinson
blowing bubbles from her nostrils
whenever she comes into contact
with another creature in the water,
human or manatee. Rosie seems to
be preparing for the cooler weather
by soaking up as much sun as she
possibly can. She spends at least 5
hours a day relaxing in the shallows
near the observatory, while she
waits for the next opportunity to
be first to the program or feeding
area. Amanda is the same boisterous
character as always. She has become
slightly more possessive of the program area since she now has some
continued on page 8
Our Wild Manatees
Currently, we don’t have specific
news to report regarding either
Blue Spring or the Tampa Bay area
adoptees individually. Late summer
and early autumn are often quiet
in terms of reported activity, as
the manatees are on the move. No
specific news, though, is usually
good news! In fact, we’ve had a
lot of good news to report in this
newsletter, and progress was made
in protecting manatee habitat in
both the Tampa Bay area and
Blue Spring/St. John’s River. It’s
enough to warm the heart. Let’s
keep the momentum going. As you
have read within these pages, there
are many ways you can help. Stay
tuned for more specific updates as
manatee activity increases in the
coming months.
Get On Board For The “Do Not Disturb” Tours
Open To Members And Their Guests
By Judith Vallee, Development Director
Join us again for a “3-hour tour”
by kayak in Crystal River, Florida.
The cost is still only $40 per person
and includes an experienced guide,
kayak, paddle, and life jacket.
Aardvark’s Florida Kayak Company
will generously donate 50% of each
tour fee to us. You must be 13
years of age or older to participate.
If you are under the age of 18,
you must be accompanied by
an adult.
Call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646)
weekdays to reserve your spot.
We will need at least two weeks’
notice to book your tour (phone
reservations only please).
You are responsible for all your
travel, hotel, meals, and other
expenses. Once you sign up, we’ll
send you an itinerary including
information about area hotels.
Tours will launch at 9 a.m., with
an educational presentation
starting an hour before your trip.
Crystal River is the winter home
to hundreds of manatees. We do not
support swimming with manatees,
Tour Schedule
Number 1 . . . . . . . . . . . 12/2/07
Number 2 . . . . . . . . . . 12/12/07
Number 3 . . . . . . . . . . 12/24/07
Number 4 . . . . . . . . . . 12/30/07
Number 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/2/08
Number 6 . . . . . . . . . . . 1/14/08
Number 7 . . . . . . . . . . . 1/23/08
Number 8 . . . . . . . . . . . 1/30/08
Number 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2/3/08
Number 10 . . . . . . . . . . 2/10/08
Number 11. . . . . . . . . . . 2/24/08
We hope to see you there!
but we do want you to be able
to view manatees in their natural
habitat the right way – through
passive observation.
Help For Tomorrow
As guardians of the manatee, we must lay the foundation now for their protection in the future. You can
help significantly by remembering Save the Manatee Club in your will or living trust or by naming the Club a
beneficiary in your life insurance policy or retirement plan. You can also give gifts of real estate and stocks to
help the manatees. Please consult your attorney about a legacy gift. You can also contact Patrick Rose, the Club’s
Executive Director, for further information at 1-800-432-5646 or by writing to him at Save the Manatee Club,
500 N. Maitland Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our federal
tax identification number is 59-3131709. Our sincere thanks for remembering manatees, today and every day.
5
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Save the
Manatee ®
Club
Manatee Moon (book)
Bookmark
charm
Combines fantasy with scientific
fact and includes beautiful color
illustrations. The book is autographed by the author and comes
with a charming pewter manatee
bookmark. Paperback, 153 pages,
for teens and young adults.
Item #0179 Price $13.95
Semi-Hollow Candle
Unique outer candle comes
with votive glass holder and
candle that’s placed inside.
When lit, the votive illuminates
the magnificent scene of a
mother manatee and calves.
Measures 6⬙ H ⫻ 4⬙ W.
Item #0183 Price $21.95
It’s A Kid’s World CD
“Manatee
Reunion” Statue
Featuring manatee songs by Gary
Pane A.K.A. The Manatee Man.
Kids will love the catchy tunes
that deal with real life issues such
as “Brand New Bike,” “I Hate
Vegetables,” and “Bully Rap.”
Learn more about Gary and
listen to select tunes at
www.savethemanatee.org/news_ feature_ pane.html
Item #0202 Price $14.95
A heart-warming gift
for the manatee lovers in
your life (or get one for
yourself)! Three manatees
snuggle close together in
this sweet statue by artist
Rick J. Rowley. Made
of resin, approximately
5⬙ W ⫻ 3.5⬙ H.
Item #0199 Price $15.95
Coffees
Enjoy a half-pound bag of
either “Manatee Blend,” a
secret 5-coffee House blend,
or “Paradise Vanilla,” roasted
Columbian with vanilla and
hazelnut flavors! Both coffees
brew up a divine cup of ‘Joe’!
Item #0218A Manatee Blend
Price $7.95
Item #0218B Paradise Vanilla
Price $7.95
Sam the
Sea Cow (book)
The true story of a manatee
rescued from a sewer pipe!
Follow “Sewer Sam’s”
adventure with amazing
illustrations that make
this a great chapter book
for beginning readers.
Paperback, 47 pages, full
color, for early readers.
Item #0014 Price $7.95
Order online at www.savethemanatee.org
(additional items also available)
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Cookie Kit
Gentle Giant Plush
This fun kit comes with a
manatee-shaped cookie cutter!
No preservatives, just add eggs,
butter and milk – and your creativity.
Delicious! 12 oz. package makes
about 3 dozen cookies. Available
in Sugar or Chocolate recipe.
Item #0121A – Sugar Price $6.95
Item #0121B – Chocolate Price $6.95
This gorgeous stuffed toy
measures an incredible
50 inches in length! That’s
over 4 feet of soft and cuddly
silver plush, making this an
exceptional gift for any
manatee lover! Be sure to
order this item early.
Item #0161 Price $210.00
Manatee Pin/
Tie Tack
Door Bell
A unique accent for your home,
this solid brass manatee door bell
is sure to please! Exceptional
quality, this piece will charm
visitors for years to come.
4⬙H ⫻ 2⬙W, individually
boxed for easy gifting.
Item #0191 Price $19.95
Remarkable 24k gold finish
simply glows. Measuring
1⬙L ⫻ 1/2⬙W, it’s proof
positive that good things come
in small packages! Comes
individually pinned to a
lovely poem of the Manatee.
Item #0170 Price $3.95
Large
Manatee
Plush
Socks
Great with jeans! Crew length,
royal blue socks feature a gray
manatee “swimming” on each
side. Toe is accented with sea
grasses. Machine washable.
Charming
and snuggly!
Made of silky
soft, silver
plush, 25⬙ L.
Item #0188 Price $26.95
Item #0187
A: Children’s Sizes 7–8.5
B: Adult Sizes 9–11
C: Adult Sizes 10–13
Price $5.95
Also available in 11⬙ L. Item #0144 Price $10.95
Note: $10 minimum on credit card charges.
SHIPPING & HANDLING FEES (for U.S. delivery only):
Up to $14.99 . . . . . $4.95
$45.00–59.99 . . . . $8.95
$100.00–124.99. . $12.95
$15.00–29.99 . . . $ 5.95
$60.00–74.99 . . . $ 9.95
$125 & up . . . . . . $13.95
$30.00–44.99 . . . . $ 6.95
$75.00–99.99 . . . . $11.95
Qty.
Item Description
Size
Price
Total
FOR DELIVERY OUTSIDE THE U.S.:
Please visit our website at www.savethemanatee.org/manateegifts.htm for the
varying international shipping rates. Simply select your items and provide the
shipping address to get the appropriate rate. Thank you!
ORDERED BY:
Name ______________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________
City, State, and Zip ____________________________________
Daytime Phone (______) ______________________________
E-Mail Address ______________________________________
SHIP TO: (if different than Ordered By address)
Name ______________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________
City, State, and Zip __________________________________
Subtotal:
Florida Residents Only Multiply Subtotal by 6.5% for State Sales Tax:
Shipping and Handling:
See Chart to the Left
Total Order:
Credit Card, Check or Money Order (No cash, please.)
Please make check or money order payable to “Save the Manatee Club.”
Credit Card #: ___________________________________________________
Exp. Date: _______________________
Allow 2 – 4
weeks for
delivery.
Please mail this form and payment to:
Save the Manatee Club, Catalog Dept.
500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751
For phone orders call: 1-800-432-JOIN (5646)
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Page 8
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
Save the Manatee ® Club
PAID
500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751
U.S.A.
Orlando, Florida
Permit No. 51022
Return Service Requested
If you see an injured manatee, call 1-888-404-FWCC, #FWC or *FWC, or use VHF Channel 16 on your marine radio.
Lazy Autumn Days
continued from page 5
competition from both Betsy and Lorelei. She has developed what can
only be described as a parallel parking technique that puts her in a position
to have the only access to the program presenter. That leaves those three
jockeying for position to get to the sweet potatoes while Electra calmly
collects as many carrots as she cares to eat.
We have seen only three manatees at the Long River Bridge over the
past two months – one cow/calf pair and one young adult male. From now
until the warm weather of spring gets here, we expect to steadily see more
and more wild manatees in the Blue Waters.
Save the
Manatee Club, Inc.
®
Board of Directors Co-Chairs
Jimmy Buffett and Helen Spivey
Executive Director – Patrick Rose, Aquatic Biologist
Newsletter Editor – Terry Nearing
Staff
Membership Services Representatives:
Judy Bower, Eliana Campos, Joe Canitia,
Jessie Gilmartin, Jason McGuire, and Pamela Tuit
Two Men Arrested In Harassment Case
8
Karl Kuhn and Charles Podesta Jr. of Hollywood, Florida were arrested
in mid-September for harassing a manatee. The two appear to have intentionally gone “manatee fishing,” and snagged a manatee in a canal.
Incredibly, they videotaped themselves and posted it on MySpace!
A concerned citizen called Save the Manatee Club. Then, Pat Rose contacted
federal officials, who arrested the two men. They face up to a year in
federal prison if found guilty.
The manatee was able to swim away, trailing the monofilament line,
and possibly with the hook still in his mouth. Manatees needlessly die
from ingesting hooks and other debris, and from entanglement in, or
ingestion of, fishing line. Hopefully, this manatee will be ok.
Thanks to the concerned caller, and to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
and its law officers for their quick action.
East Central FL Reg. Coordinator ............Sandra Clinger
Director of Operations............................Connie Graham
Administrative Assistant ................................Brent Lang
Director of Public Relations......................Janice Nearing
Staff Biologist ..............................................Kelly Novic
Bookkeeper ................................................Paula Roberts
Director of Online Communications ......Nancy Sadusky
Mailroom Supervisor ............................Carol Stockwell
Member Services Manager..............Christine Strickland
Administrative Assistant..........................Kristi Swiderski
Director of Development ............................Judith Vallee
SMC receives 100% of each charitable contribution. SC-03550.
All rights reserved.
www.savethemanatee.org
1-800-432-JOIN (5646)