The Beachhouse Restaurant canceled its July 3 fireworks display.
The decision came June 15 after discussions between restaurant owner Ed Chiles, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring executive director Suzi Fox, Bradenton Beach Mayor Jack Clarke and Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources director Charlie Hunsicker.
In a press release, Chiles said, “We decided that the risk of disturbing the terns and skimmers or, worse, uprooting them from their nests was one we were not willing to take. We know that our Independence Day fireworks celebrations have been popular among members of our community for over 20 years, but the well-being of these rare and endangered shorebirds needs to come first.”
AMITW volunteer Glenn Wiseman said fireworks and other loud noises can stress and kill both birds and sea turtles. He said working with Manatee County’s beach management people to halt the Bradenton Beach fireworks display was a positive one. “We’re really proud of Beachhouse ownership for taking the high road and putting wildlife before profit,” Wiseman said.
The decision came as a relief to Fox, who had concerns that noise from the fireworks display and the large numbers of enthusiasts on the beach would cause shorebirds to abandon nests and leave chicks vulnerable to predators.
AMITW had previously considered placing additional bird stewards on the beach to try and calm the birds and keep people away from the birds and their chicks. They still plan to have stewards at two Bradenton Beach nesting sites throughout the holiday weekend to educate people about the protected shorebirds and their habitat.
Fox said Chiles called her after the cancelation was announced and she credits him for dealing with the issue in a positive manner.
A July 3 fireworks show will take place after the Bradenton Marauder’s night game versus the Charlotte Stone Crabs at McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Game time is 6:30 p.m. and gates open at 5:30 p.m.
An Independence Day fireworks display will take place July 4 at the Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria. Chiles also owns the Sandbar.