| MYTH #2: Synoptic aerial surveys conducted in recent years showed an increase in the manatee population and therefore manatees should be downlisted from endangered to threatened status or delisted altogether. |
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FACT
Recently, 2,568 manatees were counted during a synoptic survey that was conducted in February 2004. In January 2003, there were 3,113 manatees counted in the synoptic survey. In March 2002, 1,796 manatees were counted, and 3,276 manatees were counted during the synoptic survey conducted in January 2001.
Most researchers have always believed the manatee population was somewhere between 2,000 and 3,000 animals. While it is tempting to try to make a correlation between the higher counts and increases in the population, it is important to note that synoptic survey counts do not provide statistical estimates of population size and thus are not used to determine trends in the population. Rather, these surveys provide a minimum count at a particular point in time. Looking at all of the synoptic survey results, it is evident that there is a tremendous amount of variability among the survey results. The outcome of the survey is highly dependant on weather conditions, and weather conditions will not be optimal in all areas of the state at the same time. Factors such as wind, glare, water clarity (turbidity), and the cold front’s length and severity all affect the researchers' ability to see and count manatees. (2)
In addition, there are other factors, aside from minimum population counts, that determine when manatees can be downlisted or delisted. These factors include whether the threats to their habitat are stable or declining and whether the number of manatees dying each year is stable or decreasing. The criteria for determining habitat stability have not yet been determined and there has been an alarming upward trend in mortality from boat collisions and other causes in the past decade. (3)
Read more information about manatee population status. |
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