INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, Fla. – Manatee deaths in Florida are increasing, with Brevard and Volusia counties seeing the highest numbers in the state.
The Indian River Lagoon along Florida’s coast has faced challenges over the years but showed signs of improvement after a record-breaking manatee mortality year in 2021.
So far this year, 109 manatees have died in Brevard County, the highest in Florida, with Volusia County following close by in the rankings with 31 deaths.
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“Report them when you see them sick or injured. I think we’re still not over it by any means, the issues with their food and their diet and so forth,” Dr. Patrick Rose said.
Rose is the executive director of the Save the Manatee Club, a Maitland-based nonprofit dedicated to researching and protecting manatees.
Florida recently ended an unusual mortality event declared by the state, which began in 2021 when a record number of manatees died, mostly in the lagoon. Algae blooms killed the seagrass they feed on, causing starvation.
“The starvation issue is over for now but what caused it is not fixed so it could happen again. We have seen recovery of some of the seagrass but by no means what was there before,” Rose said.
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What’s killing manatees now?
Rose says one major cause is a record number of boating-related deaths.
“We’re up almost 100 manatees from last year,” Rose said.
There are also many unknown causes researchers are still investigating, working with teams across the state to find answers.
In Florida, 547 manatees have died so far in 2025. During the same period, 457 died in 2024 and 468 in 2023.
Rose’s team is also monitoring federal and state actions to protect manatees.
“They’re reviewing the Marine Mammal Protection Act and those protections that are afforded to manatees and other marine mammals such as whales and dolphins and then the Endangered Species Act is something being looked at for cutbacks,” Rose said.
With the rise in boating incidents, rescuers remind boaters that if they accidentally hit a manatee, they will not be prosecuted. They ask that you call for help so a rescue team can assist the injured animal.
So far this year, 26 manatees have been rescued from boating-related injuries.
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