Tropical coastal wetlands have a rich biodiversity, a restricted geographic distribution and are a prime habitat for manatees in the regions where they occur in the Neotropics. Human pressures affect the persistence of tropical wetland ecosystems and hence of manatees. In the continental Neotropics, the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is represented in Mexico by the subspecies T. m. manatus. Lack of information regarding the current distribution of manatees in Mexico hampers conservation approaches of this marine mammal. In this paper we present information on a survey of a population of manatees found in the Catazajá wetlands (ca 60,000ha) in northeast Chiapas, Mexico. We additionally report on manatee conservation efforts spanning seven years aimed at involving the participation of local rural communities. Systematic surveys for the presence of manatees were conducted between Feb-Nov, 2007 by sightings along sampling transects in waterways, recording of manatee presence as evidenced by recently browsed aquatic vegetation, presence of stranded individuals and presence of deceased manatees. Additionally, some records of manatee presence underwater were obtained by using a sidescan sonar system. Lastly, interviews with 120 individuals from 10 local communities also yielded information on manatee presence in the wetland system. A map of the study area divided into a grid of 50 ha cells was used to plot and quantify the records of manatee presence obtained with the above procedures. Results indicated presence of manatees in 11% (ca 4,850 ha) of the 50 ha cells into which the study area was divided. Records indicate presence of manatees throughout the wetland, but with concentration in particular sectors. Involvement of local communities in manatee conservation has resulted in designating the Catazajá wetlands as a natural protected area.Keywords: Trichechus manatus, West Indian manatee, wetlands, Neotropics, manatee conservation, Mexico Los humedales costeros del Neotrópico son ricos en biodiversidad, presentan una distribución geográfica restringida y son los hábitats principales para poblaciones de manatíes en las regiones en donde estos ocurren. Los humedales costeros están bajo riesgo debido a presiones humanas, impactando la persistencia de poblaciones de manatíes. En la región continental del Neotrópico, el manatí esta representado por la especie Trichechus manatus y en México por la subespecie T. m. manatus. La falta de información básica sobre la distribución actual de poblaciones de manatíes en México dificulta acciones de conservación de este mamífero marino. En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de un reconocimiento de la población de manatíes en los humedales de Catazajá (ca 60,000 ha) en la región noreste del estado de Chiapas, cercana al Golfo de México. También reportamos avances en programas de conservación de los manatíes que involucran a las comunidades locales. Entre Febrero y Noviembre del 2007 se efectuaron reconocimientos sobre presencia de manatíes en el humedal a través...