Beach News – Cleanup, Winter Shorebirds, Sea Turtles and More

It was a blustery and overcast morning on the first Saturday of November with brave hearted members of the Marco Island Woman’s Club showing up for their annual beach cleanup. The cleanup was limited to an hour due to the windy conditions. A BIG THANK YOU to all the

volunteers who managed to collect over 35 pounds of trash, mostly cigarette butts, bottle caps, plastic wrappers and pieces of broken glass.

The Marco Island Woman’s Club was chartered in 1966 by a group of 16 friends to support the Island’s people and various non-profit groups. A clean and pristine beach is also on the top of their list when serving the community.

The September Beach Report to the City Council stated that “officers were on scene 55% more this year versus last year. Litter and debris pick up was the largest type of activity (27% of total beach events). The top offenses for the month of September were glass on the beach, dogs on the beach and bikes/scooters on the beach. Compared to last year, officers gave twice as much information and directions while on scene at the beach. This month there was increased public education information posted on social media referencing glass on the beach, dogs on the beach and general beach regulations.” 

Winter shorebird stewardship continues on Marco’s beaches four mornings a week - thanks to great volunteers and Anchor Steward, Lin Taylor. Beach goers are asking a lot of questions.

Please Do Not Flush the Birds – most mornings on Marco’s beaches several flocks of terns and assorted birds are sitting happily by the shore waiting for the baitfish. Unfortunately, this is too much of a temptation for some visitors to ignore and they continue to walk through them. Our stewards on the beach continue to educate the visitors that the birds are here to rest, feed and gain weight so they can continue on the next phase of their journey.

Manatee Stranding on Tigertail Lagoon – On November 3, 2021, Brittany Piersma of the Audubon of the Western Everglades, got a call on a stranded manatee. Piersma informed the Marine Mammal Rescue from Port Charlotte and also was on site to make sure the manatee was safe. Luckily, the manatee was able to get out on its own within an hour.

The next day, there was another report of three manatees stranded including a calf. It was low tide and Piersma and her team made sure to keep the manatees calm and covered with towels. She took photos of the manatees and sent them to the staff of the MMR who were on their way to the rescue site. Luckily, the tide came in and all manatees managed to get out of the lagoon safely on their own.

What to do when you spot a stranded manatee? A quick call to the FWC Marine Mammal Rescue (MMR) and FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline (1-888-404-3922) can make all the difference.

Sea turtle violations before the Code Enforcement Magistrate for October, 2021.

Case #21-1583- 840S Collier Boulevard - City of Marco Island v. Marbelle Club Condominium Association- Sea Turtle Protection – with two prior violations. Fined $600 plus $50 admin. cost.

Case #21-1597- 540 South Collier Boulevard - City of Marco Island v. Surf Club of Marco- Sea Turtle Protection – Fined $250 plus $50 admin. cost.

Case #21-1724- 176 South Collier Boulevard - City of Marco Island v. The Prince Condominium- Sea Turtle Protection – with four prior violations. Fined $800 plus $50 admin. cost.

Case #21-1725- 300 South Collier Boulevard - City of Marco Island v. Royal Seafarer Condominium Assoc- Sea Turtle Protection - with one prior violation. Fined $650 plus $50 admin. cost.

Case #21-1726- 350 South Collier Boulevard - City of Marco Island v. Madeira Condo Association- Sea Turtle Protection - Fined $250 plus $50 admin. cost.

Activity/Events