The People vs. The Florida Manatee: A Review of the Laws Protecting Florida's Endangered Marine Mammal and Need for Application

Authors

Aarin Conrad Allen, Nova Southeastern University; South Florida MuseumFollow
Danielle C. Sattelberger, Nova Southeastern University
Edward O. Keith, Nova Southeastern University

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Ocean & Coastal Management

ISSN

0964-5691

Publication Date

12-2014

Abstract

Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) are a tropical species endemic at their northernmost habitat range within the southeastern United States. Manatees face a thermoregulatory requirement during winter months and follow a seasonal migration to warm water sources. To avoid cold stress syndrome (CSS), manatees utilize the warmth from artificial sources such as power plant discharge canals or natural sources such as artesian springs. Already endangered, this species nonetheless continually faces an ever-growing threat from human impact within these important locations. This paper reviews the past and present laws protecting manatees in Florida, chronicles the impacts manatees are facing presently and in the future, and details the increasing need for the application of protection from a management standpoint. With the correct management plan in place, manatees and humans can cooperatively coexist together in a shared environment.

DOI

10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2014.08.010

Volume

102

Issue

Part A

First Page

40

Last Page

46

Comments

©2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

NSUWorks Citation

Aarin Conrad Allen, Danielle C. Sattelberger, and Edward O. Keith. 2014. The People vs. The Florida Manatee: A Review of the Laws Protecting Florida's Endangered Marine Mammal and Need for Application .Ocean & Coastal Management , (Part A) : 40 -46. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/477.