The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve partnered for public talks in Naples this week. They want a sandbar near Marco Island to be designated as a “critical wildlife area" because the number of nesting shore birds is declining there.
Second Chance is an L-shaped sandbar just south of Cape Romano Island. Shore birds like the Least Tern nest in its sand about six months of the year. Least terns are listed as a threatened species in Florida.
Kevin Cunniff of Rookery Bay Reserve said in 2011, Second Chance set a state record for nesting Least Terns with about 600 of them. He said over the last four years though, there’s been a sharp decline. Only about a hundred were counted last year.
"We've observed an increase in the amount of human use in the area particularly from ecotour operators and who have been bringing more people out to Second Chance," said Cunniff.
If the sandbar becomes a critical wildlife area, it would be a “no landing zone” during nesting season, but boaters can still fish around it.
Residents have until Friday, June 26 to submit their comments or concerns to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. FWC commissioners are expected to review the proposal in September.
