Dauphin Island researchers are calling on Gulf Coast beachgoers to keep an eye out for the “coast’s most charismatic seasonal visitors,” West Indian manatees.

Also known as “sea cows,” the manatees are a threatened species that Dauphin Island Sea Lab works to track and protect. The lab’s Manatee Sighting Network has received more than 150 reports of manatee sightings from Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida panhandle this year. The manatees are “slow-moving, gentle and curious,” according to the sea lab.

“We really depend on the public to report every sighting, any time, as soon as possible,” said Ruth H. Carmichael, a senior marine scientist at the sea lab. “Much of what we know about our local manatee population comes from sighting information shared with us from coastal residents and visitors to our area.”

Each year in early April, manatees migrate to the Gulf Coast in pursuit of warmer waters, according to sea lab scientists. When the water starts cooling again around October, they travel to central Florida.

Boaters are encouraged to cut their motors if they see a manatee. Dauphin Island researchers recommend wearing polarized sunglasses and having a designated manatee spotter onboard to help keep manatees safe.

Boat strikes are the primary cause of mortality among adult manatees, according to sea lab researchers. Because of their threatened status, it’s illegal to harass manatees. Harassment includes any activity that alters the marine animal’s natural behavior, according to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

The sea lab urges boaters to report any accidents involving manatees.

“If you hit a manatee while boating please report it and provide as much information as possible; you may remain anonymous,” the sea lab website states.

Researchers tag some manatees with floating sonar and GPS devices to learn more about their migration patterns and behaviors. The sea lab is currently tracking two manatees — Clog and Lynnspin — that were tagged last August in Alabama.

“Sightings of tagged manatees help us learn more about behavior and group sizes in addition to movement and habitat use,” said Elizabeth Hieb, manager of the sea lab’s manatee sighting network. “Reporting sightings can be especially important if tags malfunction and we need help relocating tagged manatees.”

Manatee sightings can be reported to the sea lab’s manatee research team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone (1-866-493-5803), email ([email protected]) or online sighting form (manatee.disl.edu).