Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the West Indian Manatee From Endangered to Threatened

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), reclassify the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) from endangered to threatened under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The endangered designation no longer correctly reflects the current status of the West Indian manatee. This action is based on the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the West Indian manatee no longer meets the definition of endangered under the Act. When this rule becomes effective, the West Indian manatee, including its two subspecies, will remain protected as a threatened species under the Act and the existing critical habitat designation in Florida will remain in effect.