Manatee Watch program seeking volunteers.

Written by Anthony Bicy

Belden Communications News

Volusia County is seeking residents who live on the water, spend a lot of time near the water, or are avid boaters join the Manatee Watch, a program that watches over manatees in local waterways.\

There will be two Manatee Watch training sessions with a packet of training materials:

• 10 a.m. to noon Monday, February 7, at the Stetson Aquatic Center, 2636 Alhambra Ave., DeLand
• 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 12, at the Marine Discovery Center, 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach

“The Manatee Watch training is a great opportunity to learn all about Florida’s official marine mammal,” said Debbie Wright, Volusia County’s manatee protection program manager. “With the help of volunteers, we can get a better understanding of how manatees are using Volusia County waterways.”

Coordinators will train residents to sketch scar patterns alongside observing, photographing, and documenting manatees. The information that volunteers gather will provide vital information, such as the manatee’s behavior, movement in the water, and identity.

Individuals, businesses, families, and organizations are free to volunteer. However, participants must be at least sixteen years old, and advance registration is required.

Contact Chad Murch at ManateeWatch@volusia.org or (386)736-5927 to register. For more information, visit www.volusiamanatees.org.