Globally, all three species of manatees are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The Florida manatees are listed as endangered by IUCN and have been classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1967. Florida manatees are protected by both the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act in the United States, and are the state marine mammal of Florida.
Boat strikes
Manatees live in coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers—which happen to be where there is a lot of boat traffic. They also feed on seagrasses that grow in sunny, shallow waters, meaning they spend a lot of time close to the surface, putting them more at risk for boat strikes. Collisions with boats remain the leading cause of human-related death for manatees; studies show 96% of Florida manatees have propeller scars.
Entanglement
Manatees may become entangled in fishing gear, such as discarded monofilament line or crab traps, or other marine debris. On average, over 25% of manatee rescues are related to entanglement in, or ingestion of fishing gear or marine debris. Entanglement often leads to amputation of manatee flippers.
Water Quality: Runoff, nutrients, pesticides, pollutants
Water pollution greatly reduces seagrasses that manatees eat. In addition, high levels of nitrogen pollution fuel harmful algae blooms, such as red tide. These algae blooms are toxic and destructive to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine life by blocking out the sunlight needed to grow and thrive.
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