Deal reached on manatee habitat protections

A record 1,101 manatee deaths were reported in Florida last year, a jump from the 625 average annual deaths the prior five years. (COURTESY)
A record 1,101 manatee deaths were reported in Florida last year, a jump from the 625 average annual deaths the prior five years. (COURTESY)

TALLAHASSEE —Environmental groups and federal wildlife officials have reached a deal to upgrade habitat protections for manatees, which suffered a record number of deaths last year in Florida waters.

T…