Report: Sea cow not endangered (Manatees)

Orlando Sentinel ^ | October 10, 2002 | Alicia A. Caldwell

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Researchers from the Florida Marine Research Institute have recommended that the Florida manatee be downgraded from an endangered species to a threatened one, according to a preliminary report released Wednesday.

The change was recommended because the manatee did not meet the criteria for an endangered species as defined by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission in 1999, said commission research administrator Elsa Haubold.

"The species was not evaluated against the criteria in the first place and probably would not have met [it] ever," Haubold said.

[Sungirl]

Oh great.....now the boaters won't even bother if they see them in their path..they will just continue and run them over.....so many are maimed by careless boaters...

[justsomedude]

i knew that was coming....what will we do if everything isn't regulated??????????

what about the poor mosquitoes?

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Are you saying that boaters are heartless jerks? Careful...that's a leftist talking point and most untrue. Boaters love nature.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amazing they sold so many license plates to save him. (^:

[Guillermo]

Well, maybe we can get them ALL off! More extinction!

[Sungirl]

Boaters love nature.

Yup...peeing in the ocean....speeding....drinking...killing and maiming fish. I guess it's fun. (No..I'm not against fishing in moderation)

[seekthetruth]

"I bet it's real fatty...wonder if it tastes like chicken?"
Actually it tastes like a cross between a Florida Panther and a Spotted Owl!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Yup...peeing in the ocean....speeding....drinking...killing and maiming fish.

Yep, that, too, lol! Drinking and driving on the high seas will get you in big trouble. Anchored in a cove, that's another story. Fresh fish, yum.

Sungirl, you need to meet a real outdoorsman....spend a day boating. They'd be the first to sign up for Coast Guard duty to protect our borders. They're not bums (except maybe the Rats (^:).

[Liberal Classic]

They good eatin?

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

They good eatin?

Take a minute and read the replies - #7, #15, #19... Freepers are sensible people. (^:

[Liberal Classic]

One such cookbook, Gran Libro de la Cocina Colombiana, says the fleshy, flippered "sea cows" boast four types of meat -- alternately similar to pork, beef, fish and tortoise -- and recommends that all of them be deep fried.

Looks like they are, thank you very much. :)

[NautiNurse]

See Post #51 for manatee cuisine.

I live in Manatee County. Some folks around here pay big bucks to have manatee mailboxes like this:

mid-range version $649

p.s. I don't think they use real manatee parts for the mailboxes either.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

NN, you may be funding the DNC through their enviral special interest groups. We're all funding the DNC.
Large Mouth Bass Specialty License Plate.

US out of the DNC! (^;

[FReepaholic]

>>...peeing in the ocean...<<

What's wrong with peeing in the ocean? Fish do it.

[Sungirl]

I've been on a boat with real outdoorsmen/women..in fact they were such an outdorsy people....that they moved to Colorado because they are avid hunters and like to kill things....often. They drank and peed in the ocean.
I'm not saying any laws were broken.

[SunnyUsa]

"Actually it tastes like a cross between a Florida Panther and a Spotted Owl" Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
imagine a restaurant where we could sample all those delicacies! lol

[Goldwater Girl]

"p.s. I grow romaine lettuce to feed the manatees that visit me here. Had mom and babe last year---cool stuff! They hang out under my boat when it's up on the lift."


Nauti- I hate to be the one to break this to you, but feeding manatees (or any endangered species) is a violation of both state and federal law. Penalties are STIFF- up to a year in jail and $100,000 fine!
The rationale is that human interaction causes wild animals to lose fear of humans, see us as a source of food, and fail to teach their young how to forage.
I know your intentions are good- but PLEASE consider the legion of enviro-wackos out there who would like nothing better than to reward your love for these creatures with a severe punishment.
FRegards, GG

[NautiNurse]

I don't need a fishing license to fish off my dock...why would it matter if I toss Romaine lettuce (no pesiticides) into the water from same spot?

[Goldwater Girl]

It would matter to the Save the Manatee Club member who sees you- or the Marine Patrol.
They are not reasonable or logical. And they wrote the law.
I'm not saying I agree, NN- just stating the facts, so be careful.

[NautiNurse]

Thanks for the warning. I only planted the romaine after I saw my neighbors using iceburg lettuce.

LOL--I've heard about neighbor's ratting out other neighbors up in Tampa with the water restrictions. Around here, when one neighbor starts up the sprinklers, we all do. It's a good neighborhood!