FL - County tourism officials not worried about proposed manatee reclassification
Federal wildlife officials will consider re-classifying manatees from a threatened to an endangered species, citing the loss of seagrass that serves as a key food source for the animals.
Given that Citrus County, specifically the Crystal River and Kings Bay area, is marketed as the "Manatee Capital of the World," what impact would such a move have on the local tourism trade and the economy?
There shouldn’t be any impact at all, said Frank Calascione, interim director for the Visitors & Convention Bureau (VCB)
Calascione said manatees are already protected by a slew of state and federal laws that explicitly spell out what people can or cannot do to manatees. For example, it is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy, or molest manatees.
“Responsibly swimming in the same habitat as them would not violate these existing protections,” said Calascione, also the county’s economic development director.
Until 2017, manatees were protected under federal law by the Endangered Species Act of 1973; in 2017, they were moved from the endangered list to the “threatened” list.
Prior to that change, “we had a thriving manatee tour business sector and individuals could enjoy passively viewing the animals,” Calascione said.
Manatees, economy intertwined
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) last week issued a document that said the agency will conduct a review and that shifting manatees from a threatened species to an endangered species “may be warranted.”
Such a change could offer greater protections for the Gentle Giants.
Crystal River is the only place in the world where people can swim with manatees and get up close and personal. Tourists from around the globe come here and the activity is a huge economic driver for the area.
“Citrus County tourism and the manatees are absolutely co-dependent,” Calascione said. “If the manatee species does well, our county does well.”
Calascione said measures that protect manatees, educate the public, and raise awareness about the struggles they face are critical to the survival of the species.
“Manatee deaths from starvation linked to seagrass loss and boat strikes continue to trend upward and our tourism businesses, economy, and quality of life will be negatively affected if manatee numbers continue to decline,” he said.
County spokeswoman Veronica Kampschroer said manatee tour operators are required to abide by state and federal manatee protection guidelines.
