A new report shows Florida’s shore birds face a threat to their food supply.
The study, which was authored by Audubon Florida and Pew Charitable Trusts, found that many of the state’s shore birds and sea birds are feeling a strain on their food sources as the populations of small fish dwindle.
Julie Wraithmell, Audubon’s director of wildlife conservation, said the report is the first of its kind.
“It’s really the first time there has been this thorough exhaustive review of the literature to see what these birds are eating in Florida and just how dependent they are on these forage fish,” she said
Wraithmell said the decline in populations of forage fish threatens species already dealing with habitat loss. She said these ongoing stresses on coastal birds could not only hurt the state’s ecology—but its economy as well.
“Bird watching brings in billions of dollars every year into our state and especially to southwest Florida which has wonderful destinations for bird watchers who, frankly, come from around the world to explore the wild lands in your community,” Wraithmell said. “Many of those fish depend upon those smallest of fish. If you like a Least Tern or a brown pelican, or Roseate Spoonbills, or a Black Skimmer, thank a minnow. “
Wraithmell said land and water managers in the state should take the food needs of birds into account when considering development and growth. She said the state should also conduct more research and create policy that would relieve some of the environmental stresses currently impacting this particular fish population.
