TAMPA, Fla. — New research shows that more than 957 manatees have died this year. 

What You Need To Know

  •  More than 957 manatees have died in 2021

  •  Mote Marine Labs says it's due to red tide and poor water quality

  • If passed, H.R. 4946 will move manatees back to the endangered species list

​“We have a very dire situation here,” said Dr. Michael Crosby, president of Mote Marine Laboratories. 

Crosby said the deadly problem manatees are facing in Florida is mainly due to poor water quality. 

“We have to focus our efforts on getting sea grass back,” he said. 

Red tide and poor water quality, specifically in Central Florida, has killed off hundreds of acres of sea grass — the primary food source for manatees. 

A new bill proposed by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan may bump manatees from being a “threatened” species to “endangered.”

If H.R. 4946 passes, it would mean more money, personnel and stronger regulations to protect the animals. 

“When you lose 15% of the population, nearly 1,000 deaths, which is double what it was last year, we’ve got to come up with a plan and not just hope it goes away,” Buchanan said.

Manatee County Government has already given $5 million of taxpayer money to Mote’s Manatee Aquarium.

“The fundamental issue on why are they dying off — that’s what needs to be addressed immediately,” Crosby says.