A GREAT TREASURE OF FLORIDA: THE MANATEE
Joseph -
Florida’s known for a lot: sunshine, citrus, beaches, to name a few. One state symbol that’s impossible to ignore are the manatees, and today is National Manatee Day! Sea cows are truly a state treasure, but unfortunately, they’re also the victims of decades of mismanagement of Florida’s waterways. They’re the canary in the coal mine—their health directly reflects the state of our environment.
Just two years ago, we faced a mass casualty event when more than 1,000 manatees died, mostly from starvation. The cause was the destruction of seagrass due to toxic water conditions and discharges from Lake Okeechobee into our estuaries.
But here’s the good news: the most recent estimate by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission puts the manatee population at 9,790, an increase from the previous statewide estimate of 8,810.
But we can’t let our foot off the gas. That’s why I fight every single day to prevent toxic, blue-green sludge from being discharged into our estuaries and manatees’ habitats. Clean water is vital for Florida’s well-being. The manatees depend on it, and so does our community.
To learn more about my work on your behalf, please visit my website.
For more photos and videos, please join me on social media:
   
It is an honor to represent you in Congress.
Sincerely,
Brian Mast
United States Congressman |
|
