The total abundance for the Florida manatee population state-wide was revised in December 2018 and is now estimated at 8,810 manatees, with a 95 percent confidence interval of 7,520 to 10,280 manatees.
Aerial surveys conducted in 2011-2012 produced a lower abundance estimate of 6,350 manatees. The recent higher abundance estimate suggests that manatee numbers are steadily increasing in Florida, an indication that manatee conservation measures are contributing to recovery of the population.