March Beach Cleanup and Etiquette

Beach volunteers and sponsors gathered at Marco’s South Beach at 8:00 AM on March 15 for a two-hour beach cleanup. The cleanup is organized by the Beach and Coastal Resources Advisory Committee and has become a favorite weekend tradition for the community. A big shout out to the sponsors - Marco Sports Fishing Club and the Democratic Women’s Club of Marco and members of the Marco Island Boating Club of America.

The Marco Sportfishing Club has about 300 members and they focus on providing educational and recreational opportunities for its members. They also enjoy fishing together, promoting a great sense of community. 

The Democratic Women’s Club of Marco is a local chapter of the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, serving Marco Island and surrounding communities. They are a group of dedicated women and men bringing like-minded people together, engaging in activities that make a difference - such as the monthly beach cleanup.

Also joining the March beach cleanup are members of America’s Boating Club (Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron, Inc.), showing their commitment to a clean and safe beach.

Members of the community who came to the beach to join in the cleanup received a neon green shirt as a thank you! After two hours, volunteers collected over 50 pounds of trash which would have ended up as marine debris. Bringing the buckets and grabbers to the beach got a lot easier, thanks to Coastal Breeze News donating a brand new beach wheeler! 

All the beachgoers entering the South Beach entrance are greeted with a sign that states: City of Marco Island Beach Laws – Strict Enforcement! The following is a recap of some of those important beach laws:

No Glass/No Bottles on the Beach - “Possession of glass containers prohibited and it shall be unlawful for any person while on the beach or beach access areas to possess or utilize any glass bottle or container.”

No Dogs on the Beach - “It shall be unlawful for any person owning or having under their control any animal to permit such animal upon the beach, except service dogs accompanying persons with special needs shall be allowed on the beach at all times.”

Overnight camping prohibited - “It shall be unlawful to camp overnight on the beach.”

Litter - “It shall be unlawful for any person to discard or otherwise dispose of or abandon any trash, garbage, bottles, containers, cans, dead fish, or part thereof, charcoal briquettes or ashes or any other litter, except in container designated for the purpose or to dispose of any household garbage on the beach.”

Wheeled vehicles – “The use of wheeled vehicles other than emergency safety vehicles, turtle nest monitoring ATVs and similar wheeled vehicles used for vendor operation, baby stroller, or equipment for mobility impaired persons, is prohibited except by a beach permit.” Bicycles are not allowed on the beach.

Open Fires – “It shall be unlawful for any person to have open fires, barbecue grills, including portable grills, or other incendiary devices on the beach. It is unlawful for any person to dispose of any coals, briquettes, ember or other heated objects except in city designated receptacles in designated areas.”

Marco residents share the beach with many species of migratory birds and each morning you are going to encounter a flock of gulls, terns, and black skimmers.

But you are also going to observe visitors who are engaged in “flushing the birds” to get a selfie to share with friends. The birds used up a lot of energy by being constantly flushed. When you see a flock of birds resting on the beach, please give them a wide berth and admire them from a distance.

All shorebirds such as piping plovers, red knots, black skimmers, least terns, snowy plovers, gulls, and pelicans are all protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. They are also protected by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule and Marco’s Protected Species Ordinance 19-01.