The Fourth of July fireworks show from the Green Bridge on the riverfront in Bradenton and Palmetto might produce some oohs and aahs.
Same for the Independence Eve display at Bradenton’s LECOM Park.
But fireworks on the island beaches?
There is no permitted show this year and individuals shooting fireworks on the beach could hear some uh-ohs and ughs.
Fireworks that propel or explode are prohibited without a permit.
They also can pose a threat to sea turtles and other marine life and for critters and birds on the shore.
Remnants of fireworks become litter — pieces of plastic, paper and metals that can be ingested, resulting in loss of nutrition, internal injury, intestinal blockage, starvation and death.
The Islander, ahead of the holiday, checked in with Kristen Mazzarella, executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
The Islander: AMI loves a beach-going holiday and a big one is coming up: The Fourth of July. Will you be out here on the holiday?
Kristen Mazzarella: Turtles don’t take holidays so we will definitely be on patrol over the holiday. In addition, AMITW plans on participating in the Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade. So watch for our floats in the processional!
The Islander: What kind of preparations are being made ahead of the holiday? Are you working with enforcement officers in the cities about any issues?
KM: It will be turtle patrol as usual and we are always communicating with law enforcement and code enforcement about any issues that arise that threaten sea turtles.
All our nests are marked with yellow stakes, flagging tape and signs designating them as protected turtle nests.
With more people on the beach, we ask that the public respect the posted areas and give sea turtles space.
Keep the beaches clean, dark and flat and follow the do’s and don’ts:
Do:
- If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance;
- Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach from May-October;
- Close drapes/blinds after dark and remove all beach furniture;
- Fill in holes that may entrap adult sea turtles and hatchlings on their way to the water;
- Place trash in its proper place.
Do not:
- Approach nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings, make noise or shine lights at turtles;
- Use flashlights, cellphones, flash photography or fishing lamps on the beach;
- Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged;
- Use fireworks on the beach.
The Islander: In the past, there have been a lot of personal fireworks set off on the beaches. What threats do fireworks pose to sea turtles and shorebirds?
KM: The light from fireworks can disorient or confuse nesting sea turtles and hatchlings, preventing them from finding their way to the ocean.
Both light and noise from fireworks can spook nesting shorebirds from their nests and scatter chicks, leaving them open to predators and being separated from their parents.
The trash from the fireworks can be a danger to all animals on the beach.
The Islander: Will AMITW be involved with a post-holiday cleanup on the beaches?
KM: Whether part of an organized cleanup or just conducting our daily patrols, AMITW is always picking up trash we find on the beach.
Keeping the beach clean is one of the many things we do to maintain a trash-free environment for both animals and beachgoers.
For more information about AMITW, call the nonprofit at 941-301-8434, email info@islandturtlewatch.com or go online to islandturtlewatch.com.