For 30 years, manatees have been protected as endangered species under the federal Endangered Species Act and Florida Endangered Species Act. It has led to the creation of sanctuaries and refuges to ensure the animals’ survival. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted hearings on Sept. 12, which could lead to manatees’ removal from the state endangered species list. This action was due to a petition by the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, a non-profit composed of fishermen, which claims annual manatee counts show the species are no longer endangered. Last year’s manatee count was 3,276. This years count was only a fraction of that number reflecting that the count is merely a minimum figure and not a definite gauge of the manatee’s total population. The manatees are threatened by declining water quality, loss of habitat and boat strikes.