TAMPA, Fla. — Florida boaters broke a record this year, killing more manatees in 2019 than in past years.
Wildlife officials say boaters hit and killed 129 manatees so far this year.
That tops the previous record of 125 deaths last year.
The five-year average was 95 boat-related manatee deaths.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the leading cause of death last year for manatees was natural causes, which killed 230.
The News-Journal reports 53 manatees died from cold weather this year.
Boating advocates have pushed back against go-slow zones, arguing that more are dying is because there isn't enough seagrass to feed them.
