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Crist Says Manatee Status Deserves More Study

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The Associated Press

Published: September 11, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist says wildlife officials should hold off before deciding whether to change the manatee's status from endangered to threatened.

Crist says a better way to count manatees needs to be found before such a decision can be made. He notes what officials say was a record number of manatee deaths - 417 - in 2006.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is scheduled to consider the change at its meeting Wednesday.

Commission spokesman Henry Cabbage said the panel's chairman, Rodney Barreto, would give the governor's request "careful consideration."

The members of the constitutionally required commission are appointed by the governor, but technically don't answer to him.

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