Increasing mortality of Endangered Antillean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus due to watercraft collisions in Belize

Belize maintains the largest proportion of Endangered Antillean manatee Trichechus manatus population in its range, but tourism and boat traffic have increased substantially over past 3 decades. We utilized 25 yr stranding data (1995-2019), 6 aerial surveys (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2014), 2 decades registration to examine: (1) spatial patterns incidence risk watercraft collision; (2) temporal strandings registered watercraft; (3) relationship between attributed collision numbers. The number significantly time, from 1-4 -1 late 1990s early 2000s 10-17 2010s. per across space time with boats. Strandings were greater areas high traffic, human density, mangrove habitats, particularly City Placencia. These results highlight need reduce threat collisions conserve this subspecies Belize. Conservation efforts should focus on reducing boats their speed within zones use mortality due collisions, including establishing additional non-motorized vessel areas, restricted access, reduced zones.