Manatees and the current unusual mortality rate in 2021 indicates deeper problems within marine ecosystems

iskova

Florida manatees (two of which are seen here in the Homosassa River last month) hit a grim milestone this week -- more than 1,000 of them have died throughout 2021.

(CNN)- More than 1,000 manatees in Florida have died this year, a new report confirmed this week.

It’s the highest recorded number of manatee deaths in decades.

As of November 12, a recorded 1,003 manatees have died in the state throughout 2021, according to a mortality report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The primary driver of manatee deaths this year is starvation.
By this time last year, 498 manatees had died — a number that’s more than doubled in 2021.
That seagrass breakdown is partly due to harmful algal blooms, which form when nutrients from wastewater, microplastics or toxic chemicals leach into manatees’ marine habitats.
Those blooms cover the surface of the water, preventing sunlight from reaching the seagrasses below.

Manatees will seek out warm-water refuges, like Florida Power & Light's plant in Riviera Beach pictured above, when temperatures drop.

Scientists  are monitoring   the situation and continue comprehensive  investigation .

Last Updated on 18.11.2021 by iskova