The worst thing for the manatee humans ever did was build huge powerplants with their warm water discharges. Before that time manatee followed the warm water south to the Everglades, FL Keys, Cuba and even Puerto Rico.
When it was discovered 30 odd years ago that Manatee were wintering around the discharges instead of migrating. Prominent Marine Biologists of the day warned this was not a good thing. They cited concerns such as the unnatural extended exposure to warm water weakening the animals immune system. Actually making them more prone to disease or infection. This has proved to be true. And in a big way last winter. They also cautioned that nothing on the Manatee menu would/could grow in the immediate area.
But as usual these warnings fell on deaf ears. The gov't had an agenda & they were stickin' to it. Come H*ll or hot water ... They did not want to be confused with facts. Now, 30 plus years later, in a monument to mans stupidity. Tourists & Manatee lovers alike can go watch the animals suck up to warm water discharges from the comfort of taxpayer built & maintained viewing platforms. And folks at FWC say things like thank goodness for "our" discharges or there would have been more deaths last winter. Absurd?