News from the Beach

Saturday, April 9th was a blustery day for a beach cleanup! Thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and its members for sponsoring April’s cleanup! Since 1977, the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce has helped area businesses to succeed through networking opportunities, business promotion, and educational/informational programs.

In addition to serving our business membership, they are actively involved in the community through support and outreach for community events, scholarship programs and promoting Marco Island as a destination for both visitors and those looking to relocate. With more than 400 members, the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce is a powerful and impressive organization of the best business minds in the region.

According to Lin Taylor, Winter Shorebird Steward for the Audubon of the Western Everglades, (AWE) our feathered friends who visited Marco’s beaches during the winter months are hopefully winging it north to their breeding grounds.  

This was Lin’s first season on the beach and beaming with pride she exclaimed that “it’s been an amazing season.” Kudos and thanks to her team of Pam Fawcett, Joe & Filomena Cardinale, Nancy Gibson, Orlando Hidalgo, Peter Thayer, Andrew Greller and Jan Sachs. Of course, thanks to Brittany Piersma and Jean Hall’s guidance for making this happen.

Also, thanks to bird rescue teamwork of volunteers, eco-tour guides, the Conservancy of SW Florida, MIPDs and CSO beach patrols. 

Remembering MIPD Lieutenant Clayton Smith – On April 9th, Marco Island Police Department community service officers, friends and volunteers took a few moments before the beach cleanup to remember a friend of the beach. Clayton loved the beach and the community remembered his passion and dedication to keeping the beach safe and clean. “He was the best guy as our beach ambassador,” remarked Former City Councilor, Charlette Roman. “We miss him every day,” echoed MIPD Police Chief Tracy Frazzano.

On February 5, 2020, while riding his scooter home from running errands, he was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Bald Eagle Drive and San Marco Road as the vehicle turned into him in the middle of the intersection. 

A beach bench at South Beach bears a memorial plaque in Clayton’s memory, thanks to the generosity of local residents. 

Helping with Wildlife Rescue. Through an Amazon wish list, items were purchased by donors for AWE to support Marco’s conservation programs. Items such as carriers, gloves, nets, and other protective gear were purchased and donated to CSOs to help with wildlife rescue.

FWC Vegetative Management Plan for Big Marco Pass on Controlling Vegetation Prior to Black Skimmer Nesting Season.

At the end of 2021 nesting season after the summer black skimmer die offs, I reached out to FWC with the following questions. On August, 13, 2021, Michelle Kerr, FWC’s Public Information Specialist replied as follows:

Q: Does FWC use herbicide containing glyphosate - the ingredient in Roundup?  

A: FWC does use a product containing glyphosate and staff have closely followed the label instructions. This product has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Q: How safe are these chemicals to the young chicks and also their usage in close proximity to the water bodies of Tigertail Lagoon.

A: This year is the first time our biologists used an herbicide treatment in this area to help protect seabird chicks from sand spur injuries. The treatment occurred before the beginning of the nesting season when there were no birds present. Biologists made this decision because there are indications sand spurs might be causing injuries that are allowing bacteria to enter the birds and lead to infections in skimmer chicks.

Q: Are there any other “more friendly solutions” other than the use of herbicide that is just as effective at treating sand spurs?

A: We did try other methods such as hand pulling but these efforts were not effective.

Q: Is the City of Marco Island aware that FWC is using these types of herbicides?

A: Since this is not city property, the FWC did not coordinate directly with them.

Last week I reached out to both FDEP and FWC for a copy of their 2022 Vegetative Management Plan for Big Marco Pass with the name of the chemical used but received no response to-date.