State and federal wildlife officers patrolling the waters off Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge encountered multiple people on the island next to a “No Trespassing” sign.
Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, issued citations trespassing the individuals, according to an FWC report on state incidents for May 19-25.
The report did not indicate a date for the incident. It also did not state how many citations were issued.
The Islander reached out by phone June 1 to the FWC but, as of Islander press time, there was no response.
Passage Key is off-limits to people due to its status as a national wildlife refuge for more than 50 bird species, including nesting, American oystercatchers, black skimmers, royal and sandwich terns and laughing gulls.
Passage Key is at the mouth of Tampa Bay, north of Anna Maria Island and in Manatee County.
President Theodore Roosevelt established Passage Key National Wildlife Refuge in 1905 to preserve nesting colonies of native seabirds and wading birds.
In the early 1900s, Passage Key was a 60-acre mangrove island with a freshwater lake. Today it is a low-lying sandbar that fluctuates in size and scope.
The area around Passage Key remains a popular spot for boaters to congregate.
— Robert Anderson
It’s a shame that people have no respect!