For Immediate Release: July 13, 2006

The state of Florida recently bowed to political pressures to redefine the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) criteria for endangered species, calling them “Threatened” instead of “Endangered.” Patrick Rose, recently appointed as Executive Director of Save the Manatee Club, advises the public not to be misled into thinking the endangered manatees’ future is secure.

“Although the manatee is still listed as Endangered at the federal level and is recommended for Endangered status at the international level, the state’s plan to downlist manatees prematurely could have grave future consequences for the manatee population since most protections for manatees are implemented at the state level,” Rose said. “Even though the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) insists protection for Florida’s official state marine mammal won’t change, a review of Florida law shows Endangered species receive more protection than Threatened species.” The commission claims the management plan they’ll devise will protect the manatees, but Rose says Florida’s Legislature will be pressured by powerful lobbying interests to reduce the agency’s authority and funding used for manatee protection efforts.

According to FWC’s scientists, the manatee population could be reduced by as much as 50% in the future from growing human-related threats, red tide, and habitat loss. Statistics also show boat strikes continue to kill manatees in near-record numbers.

During winter months, manatees use the warm water discharges of power plants. As aging plants are closed, these discharges will no longer be available to manatees seeking refuge from the cold. Similarly, the natural springs that manatees also depend on for winter refuges are being degraded from pollution, and spring flows are decreasing from development pressures within spring watersheds. There are mounting concerns that the loss of these winter habitats could cause catastrophic future losses in the manatee population.

Patrick Rose, SMC Executive Director

Rose, who officially assumed the title of Executive Director on July 1, is no stranger to the manatees’ plight or to the organization. He has been Director of Government Relations for the Club since 1996 and has over 30 years’ experience working with manatees. His extensive background includes advocating for manatees before the Florida Legislature and Florida's Governor and Cabinet. Rose was the first federal manatee recovery activities coordinator and Florida’s first manatee and marine mammal coordinator. Working at the state’s Marine Research Laboratory in St. Petersburg, he implemented and oversaw Florida’s manatee and marine mammal research and management programs. He also went on to head the state’s Office of Protected Species in Tallahassee, where he provided overall policy guidance and direction for statewide recovery efforts for endangered and protected marine species until 1996. Rose served as a member of each federal Manatee Recovery Team and is a former member of the I.U.C.N. World Conservation Union/Sirenia Specialist Group. He has won numerous professional awards and has a master’s degree in aquatic biology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and a certification in public management from Florida State University.

Judith Vallee, who was Save the Manatee Club’s Executive Director for the past 21 years, handed the torch over to Pat so she could pursue other interests, but she will also continue to be involved with the Club as a part-time fund raiser. “I’m happy that such a dedicated and qualified professional will lead the Club,” Vallee said.

When Rose isn’t busy working, he often can be found diving and taking photos of manatees or enjoying a day fishing with friends and family. “Ever since the fourth grade, I knew I wanted to work with manatees,” said Rose. “They are victims of our fast-paced, non-stop growth. With good, long-range plans, we can – and must – ensure a place in Florida’s future for the manatee. The FWC would have you believe that manatees are doing just fine, but their own data show that in some parts of their range their numbers are already decreasing. With the human population of Florida growing by leaps and bounds, the future of the manatee is far from secure,” stated Rose.

Helen Spivey, Co-Chair of Save the Manatee Club’s Board of Directors said, “I have known Pat for years and can assure everyone he will work diligently to ensure that manatees are actually recovered and help others understand that manatees are just not ready to be downlisted or have protection measures weakened.”

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