Thank you for your submissions. #49 is one of our favorites, the font is fresh and the integration of the manatee is very good. Our one concern is the manatee seems a little small (thinking business card size of the logo). #45 the graphic is nice, but we think the firm name all lower case is too casual for us.
#51 we like very much. We are still undecided whether we want a literal manatee picture or something more abstract. But if we are go with literal its outstanding.
Most likely not a simple cartoon but if you have an idea that incorporates one it would not automatically be out of consideration. It does depend on other design elements.
For example we have a highly ranked choice right now with a cartoon, but it has the ranking for other design elements, not necessarily the manatee itself.
I hope this helps. Thank you again for taking the time and using your talents for our contest.
#121 & #123 are a little too playful (but very creative). No one cared for that font. What we liked on #51 and those similar was the integration of the manatee with the M's. Maybe find a way to do a manatee with a single M so the graphic alone would indicate Mighty Manatee.