A federal rule change that removes the word "harm" from the Endangered Species Act takes effect Sept. 14, stripping legal protections against habitat loss for endangered species including the Florida manatee.

The threat hits close to home. Through Sept. 4, Pasco County had recorded three manatee deaths in 2026, and Hillsborough County had recorded 25, including two from watercraft strikes, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data. Statewide, the count stood at 469.

Expert Warns of Timing on Manatee Care

Jamie Vaccaro, head of the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa, told Tampa Bay 28 on Sept. 9 that the change comes at the worst possible time.

"The last 2 years, our hospital has seen kind of a record number of manatee intakes. And I really only see that continuing to increase," Vaccaro said. "So anytime we weaken protections for manatees, that does have a drastic harm not only to the habitat loss, but to other species."

What the New Federal Rule Changes

The rule, finalized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service and published in the Federal Register on July 14, narrows enforcement so it applies only to actions that directly injure or kill listed wildlife. Habitat degradation no longer triggers federal protections.

Rescue Center Sees Record Manatee Intakes

The Straz center, which ZooTampa describes as the largest nonprofit manatee critical care center in the world, has treated more than 630 sick, injured and orphaned manatees since opening in 1991. Staff released a record 26 rehabilitated manatees in 2025, according to 83 Degrees Media.

Boat Strikes Remain a Leading Threat

Boat collisions account for roughly 20-25% of reported manatee deaths statewide, according to the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Florida had recorded 86 watercraft-related deaths in 2026 as of early September, on pace to top 100 for the year. A decade-long institute study of nearly 3,000 carcasses found approximately 96% of adult manatees bore scars from previous boat strikes, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

Florida's West Indian manatee population is estimated between 7,000 and 11,000.

Interior Secretary Defends the Rollback

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a July 10 statement that federal agencies had misused the Endangered Species Act to block lawful land use and burden families and businesses. He called the prior enforcement approach a regulatory trap that exceeded congressional intent.

States Sue to Challenge the Rule

A coalition of 21 state attorneys general filed lawsuits Sept. 9 challenging the rule change, Fox 13 Seattle reported. No court hearing date has been set.

Vaccaro said habitat destruction and rollbacks of environmental laws have a direct impact on manatees. ZooTampa's center will continue accepting any manatee in need of care, whether struck by a boat or found in distress.

Residents who spot a manatee in trouble on area waterways can call the FWC hotline at 1-888-404-3922.