Florida governor enters manatee debate.(BoatU.S.reports)

In an unusual twist of politics and science, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioners were asked in September by Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to postpone their vote on the downlisting of manatees and to put off the approval of a new statewide manatee management plan.

In a letter sent to Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto the day before the meeting, Gov. Crist expressed concern over the methods used to count manatees, saying a better counting method needed to be found before this decision could be reached. He also asked for more time due to the appointments of three new commissioners.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

For the last three years, state scientists, boating groups, including BoatU.S., and environmental advocates have been working to establish accepted scientific methods for estimating populations, as well as acceptable management scenarios that will allow for manatee prosperity and for continued boating.

"This transparent process has been quite difficult for all involved, but in the last year, the members of the 'Manatee Forum' worked together with federal and state scientists and researchers to design the new Florida manatee management plan," said Margaret Podlich, BoatU.S. vice president of Government Affairs. "Everyone ...