A record number of manatees were killed in 2016 by boat strikes, according to data released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

  • 98 manatees killed by boat strikes in 2016
  • Previous record: 97 in 2009
  • Overall number of manatees in Florida at highest since 1991

Almost 100 manatees — 98 — were killed by boat strikes in 2016, according to FWC data. The previous record was 97 in 2009, according to state records.

Earlier this year, a count conducted by FWC found about 6,300 manatees in Florida. The number represents an increase from 2015, and the most since 1991.

FWC officials said final manatee mortality figures for 2016 would be released soon, and they expect the results to be higher.

"The numbers of live manatees are up," said Carol Knox, the commission's imperiled species section leader. "The percentage of watercraft related deaths is still pretty similar to other years, even though the number is a little higher.''

Officials said the data showed 472 manatees total died in 2016, well short of the record of 830 set in 2013. 72 of those deaths were from natural causes. The cause of the other 139 deaths is still undetermined.

The high number of boat strike deaths has conservation advocates renewing their call for more emphasis on enforcement of designated slow zones and education.

"It's in part a failure of enforcement — there aren't enough officers to cover around a million registered boats in Florida,'' said Jacki Lopez from the Center for Biological Diversity. "And there's no required manatee education that Florida boaters have to take, which is ludicrous considering the volume of people on the water.''

Knox said once the final numbers were in, they would review whether changes were needed to current policies and enforcement practices. The data would also be used to better inform current enforcement officers on where to patrol.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.