Its about time that Manatees were taken off the "endangered" list. This
will not remove the many special protections for the mammals, and there
will not be any fast food chains serving manatee burgers. It is a first
step into normalizing the species which has proved itself quite fertile.

I recently viewed a headline screaming 84 manatees were killed by
boaters, and this was double the number of 10 years ago. Not surprising,
since there are about 800% more manatees today then 10 years ago. The
last census showed over 4000 (That is up from 300 in '93) in the St.
Johns river alone. Soon, we shall be able to walk from Southbank to
Riverside by using manatees for stepping stones.

Additional manatee protection, as proposed by the Fish and Wildlife
Department in response to a lawsuit by the "Save the Manatee Club" is
not necessary. I for one resent being denied the use of large portions
of "my" river by a group of people that 1. doesn't live here. 2. Doesn't
have a clue as to the true census of Manatees. 3. Are playing on
sympathy instead of fact. 4. Is founded by Jimmy Buffet who lives in New
York.

Yes, 10 years ago, the Manatee was an endangered species. Now there are
so many they could easily become a nuisance in the next 10 years.

Capt. Frank In Jacksonville Florida