Marine environment
Volusia County’s Atlantic coastline offers valuable habitat for a variety of marine life. While visiting the Intracoastal Waterway and beaches, keep a close lookout for wildlife. Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, Florida Manatees, and Green Sea Turtles can be seen in the estuary. Sea Turtles, Dolphins, Whales, and and Manatees can also be seen in the ocean.
Many of these marine mammals can be found in our waterways throughout the year. Marine mammals are an important part of the marine ecosystem and many species are listed as threatened or endangered and must be protected by strict state and federal laws.
Monofilament Recycling and Recovery Program
Marine debris, especially monofilament line from fishing, is one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world's oceans and waterways. Learn more about this issue and arm yourself with the most accurate information! Find out how we are working to clean up the waterways and how you can help.
Marine Debris
Marine debris is one of the most widespread pollution problems facing the world's oceans and waterways. Learn more about the marine debris problem. Find out what you can do to help.
Coastal Reefs
The Ponce de Leon Inlet and Port District values the economic, recreational, ecological and quality-of-life benefits of artificial reefs and has established a capital improvement plan to continue building marine habitat in the Atlantic Ocean off Volusia County. Reef restoration is part of the Coastal Department at Volusia County.
Clean Marina/Clean Vessel Programs
The Florida Clean Marina Program is designed to bring awareness to marine facilities and boaters regarding environmentally friendly practices intended to protect and preserve Florida’s natural environment. The Clean Vessel Act was signed into law to reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges, prohibiting the discharge of raw sewage into fresh water or within coastal salt-water limits.
Marine Mammal Stranding Network
Marine mammal stranding's are common along the Florida coast and occur when live animals beach themselves or dead animals wash up on shore. If a dead or injured animal is found please contact the appropriate agency for help.
Waterway Cleanups
Each year Volusia County is involved with the water way cleanups of the St. Johns River and the Coastal areas of the Halifax River, Intracoastal Waterway, and our Beaches. Join the team and help keep our waterways and marine life free of debris. To find out our next scheduled cleanup date.
Dolphin & Whale 911 - Free application for smart phones
The Dolphin & Whale 911 app enables the public in the Southeast U.S. to immediately report live or dead stranded, injured, or entangled marine mammals by connecting them to the nearest stranding response hotline which is detected through the phone’s internal GPS system (the GPS pinpoints the user's location and, in turn, calls the appropriate local hotline number. Please note that the user will receive an error message if they are outside of the Southeast U.S.). The app will help the user identify the stranded animal by providing an electronic field guide of marine mammals found in the Southeastern U.S. and provides a list of "do’s and don’ts" or tips on what to do when you find a live or dead stranded marine mammal. The app also allows users to take and send a photo of the marine mammal that is time/date/GPS coordinate stamped to a generic NMFS e-mail address. The app is currently available for download on iTunes and in the Google Play store.
SEE & ID Dolphins & Whales - Free application for smart phones
The SEE & ID Dolphins & Whales app is an electronic field guide that assists the public in identifying marine mammals in the Southeast U.S. and provide species information, such as physical description, biology, habitat, conservation/status and photos. The app also informs that public of appropriate ways to enjoy viewing marine mammals in the wild without harming or harassing them. The app is currently available for download on iTunes and in the Google Play store.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/see-id-dolphins-whales/id699127250?mt=8