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New Rule Will Halt Free Lunches For Pelicans

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Cody Harp, 10, of Harrison, Ohio, tosses a fish to hungry pelicans as his sister Caitlynn Harp, 14, right, and aunt Roxy Callan, 14, watch at The Pier in St. Petersburg. Starting July 1, it will be illegal to feed pelicans.

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 24, 2008

ST. PETERSBURG - The half-dozen brown pelicans shifted restlessly, jockeying for position as Dan Harp's three children tossed baitfish to the burly birds from atop a wooden platform.

"It was kind of nasty," a smiling Roxy Callan, one of Harp's daughters, said later. "But it was pretty cool."

Pelican feeding long has been a popular pastime at The Pier Bait House, where visitors are greeted with a yellow "Pelican Crossing" lamppost sign and a sidewalk placard that advertises "Pelican Food for Sale."

Come Tuesday, though, such feedings will be outlawed in Florida. The state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has passed a rule aimed at halting the feeding of large numbers of pelicans, saying the practice is affecting the health of brown pelican populations.

State officials say that feeding pelicans discarded fish and fish scraps can harm the birds in a number of ways.

One is that it can keep them from migrating south for the winter if they congregate in places where scraps are readily available.

Another problem arises at fishing piers, fish processing plants and other spots where people clean fish or toss the birds a few scraps, officials said. The large bones left over after filleting a fish, for instance, can get stuck in the pelican's throat, causing it to choke or starve.

Moreover, pelicans that hang out at piers can get caught with fishing hooks while trying to steal fish from a fishing line. Embedded hooks can cause the soft skin of the bird's pouch to tear, possibly causing infection that could lead to sickness.

"Our whole deal is we want to keep them wild," said Karen Parker, a spokeswoman for the commission. "When they become dependent and change their migration behavior like that, we determined that something needed to be done."

Parker said enforcement of the law likely would begin about six months after it takes effect to allow for a public educational campaign. She said the agency does not intend to crack down on the casual feeding of pelicans by individuals.

"Our guys aren't going to be running around giving little Johnny with his grandpa tickets," she said.

Anyone caught violating the feeding ban would face a second-degree misdemeanor charge, punishable by a $500 fine or 60 days in jail, or both, Parker said.

Reactions to the new law were mixed among visitors to The Pier this afternoon.

Harp, whose children were feeding pelicans at The Pier Bait House, said he saw nothing wrong with feeding the birds.

The bait house has been a fixture at The Pier tourist attraction on Tampa Bay since 1926. Its operator declined to discuss the issue today.

"It's entertainment for the kids," said Harp, visiting from Harrison, Ohio, with his wife Erica, 10-year-old son Cody and daughters Roxy and Caitlynn, both 14.

"I think it's a way to feed the animals that we've taken habitat from," he said. "I think it's right to at least give a little bit back."

Roxy Callan said she didn't understand what the harm was.

"I think it's kind of stupid," she said. "It's not like we're feeding them candy. We're feeding them fish. It's what they always eat."

Others said they thought the feeding ban was a good idea.

"It's really fun to watch the kids feed the pelicans," said Roger Swarm of St. Petersburg, out fishing with his wife, Marilyn. "But if the experts feel it's bad for the pelicans, then we should abide by it."

Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

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