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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDirect Staff to Post Signs on Pier to Protect Wildlifer � • CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH City Council Interoffice Communication o p To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members �= From: Connie Boardman, City Council Member Clf? Date: August 3, 2004 _ Subject: H-ITEM FOR AUGUST 16, 2004, CITY COUNCIL MEETING — SIGNS ON PIER TO PROTECT WILDLIFE STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Each year dozens of Elegant Terns, Skimmers, Caspian Terns and their chicks die on the nesting islands at Bolsa Chica when one bird returns to the island with fishing line trailing from it. These birds nest very closely together and when one returns with fishing line, many become tangled up in the line and starve to death. Often the birds become tangled as they grab at either a baitfish or other fish on a fishing line. The person fishing becomes panicked at the idea of harming the bird and cuts the line, leaving a long string of line for the bird to bring back to the nesting area. As cruel as it seems the best thing to do is to reel the bird in and cut the line as close to the bird as possible. Another alternative is to reel in the bird and take it to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center on Newland and Pacific Coast Highway. While on vacation in the Eastern Sierra recently, I noticed signs around lakes and streams advising those fishing to be responsible with their discarded fishing line since wildlife and humans can get tangled in it. Since many of the terns that nest at Bolsa Chica fish in the water near our pier, I think similar signs on our pier could help alleviate the problem of breeding birds and their chicks becoming tangled in fishing line. RECOMMENDED ACTION: To direct staff to post signs on our pier advising: 1. That wildlife and humans get caught in discarded fishing line and to throw away excess fishing line in a trash container rather than tossing it into the water or onto the pier. 2. If a bird is mistakenly hooked, to cut the line as close to the bird as possible, even if that means having to reel it in. 3. The location and phone number of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center. CB:cf xc: Penny Culbreth-Graft, City Administrator Bill Workman, Assistant City Administrator Joan Flynn, City Clerk Rob brt Beardsley, Director of Public Works 6 --D - / 6*"r (21) August 16, 2004 - Counc—Agency Agenda - Page 21 H-2a. Submitted By Councilmember Connie Boardman (City Council) Direct Staff to Post Signs on Pier to Protect Wildlife (120.10) Communication from Councilmember Connie Boardman transmitting the following Statement of Issue: Each year dozens of Elegant Terns, Skimmers, Caspian Terns and their chicks die on the nesting islands at Bolsa Chica when one bird returns to the island with fishing line trailing from it. These birds nest very closely together and when one returns with fishing line, many become tangled up in the line and starve to death. Often the birds become tangled as they grab at either a baitfish or other fish on a fishing line. The person fishing becomes panicked at the idea of harming the bird and cuts the line, leaving a long string of line for the bird to bring back to the nesting area. As cruel as it seems the best thing to do is to reel the bird in and cut the line as close to the bird as possible. Another alternative is to reel in the bird and take it to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center on Newland and Pacific Coast Highway. While on vacation in the Eastern Sierra recently, I noticed signs around lakes and streams advising those fishing to be responsible with their discarded fishing line since wildlife and humans can get tangled in it. Since many of the terns that nest at Bolsa Chica fish in the water near our pier, I think similar signs on our pier could help alleviate the problem of breeding birds and their chicks becoming tangled in fishing line. Recommended Action: Motion to: To direct staff to post signs on our pier advising: 1. That wildlife and humans get caught in discarded fishing line and to throw away excess fishing line in a trash container rather than tossing it into the water or onto the pier. and 2. If a bird is mistakenly hooked, to cut the line as close to the bird as possible, even if that means having to reel it in. and 3. The location and phone number of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center. Approved with amendment to place signs where there are fisherman. Approved 6-0-1 (Hardy absent)