ALF_member
April 8th, 2006, 01:59 PM
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/847148803?z00m=79615&z00m=79615
write Gov. Bush
Via Email
jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Phone/Fax
Phone: 850/488/7146
Fax: 850-487-0801
Mailing Address
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Faced with the largest number of manatee deaths in a decade, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering an inconceivable reaction: downlisting the manatee, a gentle creature known to body surf or barrel roll when playing, from endangered to threatened.
Last year was the second highest manatee mortality year on record. Just in the last five years, 1682 manatees have died in Florida waters and of those, 398 were killed by boats. That is almost an 18% increase over the previous five-year period. Furthermore, state scientists estimate the manatee population could drop by half in the next 50 years because of habitat loss, red tide poisoning and boat collisions.
And Gov. Bush's conservation commission — he appointed the members — doesn't offer wildlife much hope for protection. Commissioners include a banker, a real-estate investor, a ranch owner, a developer, and a vice president of the St. Joe Co., Florida's largest landowner. Another belongs to the Safari Club International, which offers recipes for antelope, bear, moose and other wild game on its Web site.
write Gov. Bush
Via Email
jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Phone/Fax
Phone: 850/488/7146
Fax: 850-487-0801
Mailing Address
The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Faced with the largest number of manatee deaths in a decade, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering an inconceivable reaction: downlisting the manatee, a gentle creature known to body surf or barrel roll when playing, from endangered to threatened.
Last year was the second highest manatee mortality year on record. Just in the last five years, 1682 manatees have died in Florida waters and of those, 398 were killed by boats. That is almost an 18% increase over the previous five-year period. Furthermore, state scientists estimate the manatee population could drop by half in the next 50 years because of habitat loss, red tide poisoning and boat collisions.
And Gov. Bush's conservation commission — he appointed the members — doesn't offer wildlife much hope for protection. Commissioners include a banker, a real-estate investor, a ranch owner, a developer, and a vice president of the St. Joe Co., Florida's largest landowner. Another belongs to the Safari Club International, which offers recipes for antelope, bear, moose and other wild game on its Web site.