Brevard County Commissioner Suggests Killing Manatees to Control Their Population
By Fox 35 // April 4, 2022
Curt Smith: I was absolutely serious. This is something that needs to be looked at.
ABOVE VIDEO: A commissioner in Brevard County is facing intense criticism from marine advocates after he suggested allowing people to kill manatees as a way to control their population – similar to hunting deer and bears in some states – and to protect the seagrass, a vital food source for the marine species. (Fox 35 Video)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA (FOX 35) – A commissioner in Brevard County is facing intense criticism from marine advocates after he suggested allowing people to kill manatees as a way to control their population – similar to hunting deer and bears in some states – and to protect the seagrass, a vital food source for the marine species.
Commissioner Curt Smith made the remarks last week at a county commissioner’s meeting as a potential solution to protect the marine animals after 1,000 manatees reportedly starved to death in 2021 because of declining seagrass, setting a grim record (830 died in 2013, 637 died in 2020, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission).
The comments left marine and manatee advocates stunned.
“I was absolutely serious. I was serious. This is something that needs to be looked at. And we need people in this state to do exactly that,” said Commissioner Smith, when he spoke to FOX 35 News on Thursday.
Manatees are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species act, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act. Harassing, hurting, or killing a manatee can come with state and/or federal penalties, including fines and/or jail time.
“It is just absolutely disgusting,” said Stel Bailey, an environmentalist.
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