Endangered Marine

Species

By: Denise Araujo

1. Manatee

The scientific name for the manatee is Trichechus Manatus.

Can be found in rivers, estuaries, or oceans. Is able to survive in fresh, brackish, and salt water.

In the Indian River Lagoon the manatee graze on sea grass and algae.

Manatee’s Role in the Ecosystem

Many of these nutrient-rich waters are clogged with growths of the water hyacinth, supported by runoff of fertilizers and outputs from sewage treatment plants. By eating them manatees help keep the waters clear of these invasive species.

Endangered

Close to 300 manatees have died in northern Indian River Lagoon. Cause of death could possibly be from the amount of gracilaria they eat when the river runs out of sea grass.

Other causes of endangerment include fishery conflict, and boat collisions.

Every county where they are found have laws of protection. In Indian River County the goal is to balance manatee protection, habitat preservation and boating safety. This plan also includes to raise awareness of where manatees are by using signs at boat ramps.

2. Shortnose Sturgeon

The scientific name for the Shortnose Sturgeon is Acipenser Brevirostrum.

They can be found in rivers, and estuary systems. Also can be found in the St. John’s River here in Florida.

They eat worms, aquatic insect larvae, plants, snails, shrimp, and crayfish.

Endangered

Endangered because of overfishing, loss of habitat, limited access to spawning areas, and water pollution.

They are protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act, Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Their habitats are protected by the Federal Clean Water Act.

3. Smalltooth Sawfish

The scientific name for the Smalltooth Sawfish is Pristis Pectinate.

Can live in both salt and fresh water. They prefer fairly shallow water with muddy or sandy bottoms such as rivers, streams, lakes, creeks, bays, lagoons, and estuaries.

They feed on small fish that can fit into their mouths because they are unable to tear chunks off preys with their toothy saws.

Endangered

Threats to the Smalltooth Sawfish include: bycatch in various fisheries (gill nets), and loss of juvenile habitat.

The Smalltooth Sawfish Recovery Team have come up with a plan too recover the smalltooth sawfish by reducing fishing impacts, protecting important habitats, and educating the public.