Jimmy Buffett and His Passion for Manatee Conservation

Most of us know the public persona of Jimmy Buffett as the genius who created his own brand of music. It has been a sad week for the “Phlocks of Parrotheads,” who mourned Jimmy’s passing on September 1, 2023. Buffett may have been loved worldwide by music fans, but he also made his mark in the world of conservation.

Jimmy’s involvement with manatee conservation started in the early 1980s, when then-Florida Governor Bob Graham formed the Save the Manatee Club (SMC), with a mission to “Protect imperiled manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations.” Graham asked Jimmy Buffett to chair the Save the Manatee Committee, where he took on a very active role in the next 40-plus years. Buffett was also involved in the creation of Florida’s Save the Manatee license plate, which helped raise awareness of the need to protect Florida’s manatees.

On the Save the Manatee Club website you will find this message from aquatic biologist and Executive Director Patrick Rose on the recent passing of singer-songwriter and co-founder, Jimmy Buffett: “It’s with a sad but grateful heart that I share the loss of a great old friend to manatees and the watery world that sustains us despite such storms of life. I will miss you old friend. You were there from the very beginning of our efforts to ‘Save the Manatee’ and each and every time we needed you without hesitation. Although it will be hard, we will honor your legacy by staying strong and carrying on.” 

Jimmy Buffett also recorded his last message on the website, urging everyone to “Work together to safeguard the manatees and the places they call home. Be the friend they need.” 

In an old 1981 Buffett song called “Growing Older But Not Up,” he refers to himself with these lyrics: “Sometimes I see me as an old manatee, heading south as the water grows colder. He tries to steer clear of the humdrums so near, it cuts prop scars deep in his shoulders.”

Asked why he got involved with manatee conservation, Buffett replied, “It’s pretty simple, we live in paradise, and paradise is in peril. We need to have a little more attention about the place where we grew up, and where our children should grow up. It’s not that hard, it really isn’t.”

According to SMC, manatee mortality remains high on Florida’s east coast, and in the state overall. In 2022, the total number of manatee deaths in Florida (800) was higher than the five-year average (741), but fortunately was less than the record number in 2021 (1,100). 

For 2023, FWC mortality data recorded that 442 manatees have died (January 2023 – present), with 71 deaths attributed to watercraft collision. FWC is seeing a higher number of mortalities related to watercraft and boating and are urging boaters to “keep your distance when you observe a manatee in the water and observe passively.” For more boater related information, refer to FWC’s “A Boater’s Guide to Living with Florida Manatees” at myfwc.com. 

Mass starvation and malnutrition is another reason for manatee decline, with seagrass, the manatees’ food source, in short supply due to poor water quality. Red tide is also another cause for their decline as it directly kills the manatees. 

According to FWC, the level of phosphates and nitrates in the waterways are making the water toxic for both marine animals, like manatees, and humans. Further, municipalities should enforce regulations that limit pesticide runoffs, fertilizer and raw sewage polluting local waterways.

Report injured, dead, tagged, or harassed manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-888-404-3922, texting 847411 using keyword “FWC” and a detailed description, go online to MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert, or use the FWC Wildlife Alert app on your mobile device.