A dead manatee was seen floating in the sea in the Seashore Drive area of Belize City yesterday. It is the second manatee found dead since the start of
2015 and both deaths were caused by watercraft.
According to Program Coordinator for the Belize Coastal Zone Management – Jamal Galvez, this causes an alarm, because 2014 saw the most manatee deaths
ever recorded in a single calendar year. And out of the 34 manatees, 65% of the deaths were a result of watercraft collision. He is concerned about the
continuing trend:…
Jamal Galvez – Program Coordinator, Belize Coastal Zone Management
"It's not only just second but from last year 34 being the number of manatee died in 2014. It's a cause for alarm because it's a continuation of what we've
seen last year being the most ever recorded with over 65% of these deaths as a result of water craft collision. There is a need for concern, Belize host
the highest population of manatees in the world and with the increase of mortality, there is a great need for concern."
Monica Bodden
"Tell us, where was the manatee found?"
Jamal Galvez
"The first one was found at the Princess Ramada hotel, which was the result of a water craft collision as well. The one yesterday was found around the
seashore drive area. The body was decomposed so it was very to difficult to come up with the cause of death. These animals are dying in areas that is
used heavily by boaters, for tourism. So we have reached out to BTB, the head of all these activities. There response has been very good, I'm
optimistic to hope that we can come together and meet on a common ground and work on something so we can bring some alleviation or some sense of relief
to these animals to address the issues that have been coming up; As well as the boaters and people who have been living on the coast lines because they
do play a part. Boaters are asked to look out for manatees especially in areas where manatees are known to aggregate, normally in areas of the Belize
river mouth. When travelling in these areas, please be cautious, have a look out. If you hit a manatee, see a manatee injured. If you are living along
the coast and see a sick, injured or orphaned manatee, please call the coastal zone and management authority so we can do something about it. Hopefully
we can get out there and save or record if it's a death."
Boat operators are urged to abide by posted speed zone signs in manatee areas.
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