Pelicans on Anna Maria Island and the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park have some representation.
Spearheaded by Jeannie Bystrom, Holmes Beach resident and wildlife rescuer, bright blue metal signs will soon appear in fishing areas in the region.
The signs direct fishers not to feed pelicans and not to “cut the line” if a bird is hooked. The signs offer instructions in English and Spanish on how to free a bird if accidentally hooked.
The signs — 100 of them — were printed and donated by Save Our Seabirds Inc., 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, a nonprofit seabird rehabilitation center. The organization also donated 3,000 pamphlets.
Bystrom distributed the signs to Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach city governments. Signs also were given to businesses in the three cities and to businesses in Cortez. Ten signs also were provided to the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, 4905 34th St. S., St. Petersburg.
Bystrom pushed an education campaign in Manatee County, as well as lobbied for legislation to ban fishing from bridges using multiple-hook rigs. Her efforts have resulted in legislation in Holmes Beach and, now an education campaign across Manatee County.
She was named The Islander newpaper’s “Islander of the Year” for her efforts to save shorebirds.
Bystrom, husband Bill Bystrom, owner-veterinarian of Island Animal Clinic and Palma Sola Animal Clinic, and other family members, make weekly trips to rescue entangled birds.
According to Bystrom, they untangled 235 birds in 2014.