When a dolphin, whale, seal or turtle washes ashore, it's volunteers with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine that spring spring into action.

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The center has a few hundred volunteers, but Education Coordinator Sarah Miele said they're looking to add about 100 more for the 2014 summer season. "We try to get people we know can handle a situation," she said.

"Volunteers don't actually interact with the mammals, but they act as our eyes and ears until our technicians arrive on the beach," she added. "Volunteers help with crowd control to prevent the public from getting too close." Miele explained, "With the animals, particularly seals, people want to help them, but they don't realize they are wild animals and they can hurt you."

Anyone interested in volunteering must be at least 18 years of age and live within 15 minutes of a beach or coastal waterway.

The Stranding Center is holding a free volunteer workshop this Saturday, November 9th, in Point Pleasant, at 9am. It's being held at Jenkinson's Pavilion at 300 Ocean Avenue. Seating is limited. Preregistration is required by calling (609) 266-0538 or emailing edummsc@aol.com.

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