Task Force working to eliminate beach litter on Amelia Island beaches

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

March 23, 2018

Slide from Task Force presentation

Toby Tovar and Christine Harmon, representing the Amelia Island Beach and Marine Life Task Force delivered a slide presentation to the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) on March 20, 2018 to dramatically underline the consequences of litter for marine life and shorebirds. They provided information about the organization they have self-funded to bring awareness to the problem and try to enlist local government in enforcing existing regulations as well as providing increased public education on the size and depth of the problems affecting our beaches.

Christine Harmon and Toby Tovar

They have sounded an alarm regarding the potential for increased adverse impact on local beaches coming from rising tourism and residential population growth.

At the end of their presentation, they presented the FBCC with a specific request: dedicate the resources necessary during the Memorial Day through Labor Day beach season to enforce anti littering ordinances and clean beaches on a daily basis. They have asked for the creation of a beach patrol.

Harmon and Tovar realized the scope of environmental problems caused by humans when they began walking the beaches trying to do their part to clean up the aftermath of indifferent beach visitors following July 4^th celebrations last year.

What they have found during their informal patrols has been dismaying, and in some cases, downright disgusting: cigarette butts, dirty diapers, broken toys and beach furniture, glass bottles, fishing line, and just about anything else that would normally belong in a trash receptacle. Audience members reacted with gasps to some of the slides in their presentation.

Tovar spoke to the urgency of the situation in light of increasing numbers of tourists and area residents. He called for a proactive beach patrol that would not only clean the beaches but also provide citations to violators.

The organization plans to work with city and county government officials to insure existing beach ordinances are reviewed, amended where needed, and enforced. They also will engage with and encourage the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council and local businesses “to absorb their costs of doing business.” And they will advocate for additional resources for maintaining clean beaches and an environmentally healthy ocean.

City Manager Dale Martin responded by addressing the Police Department’s creation of a beach patrol, known as the Beach Rangers. City commissioners suggested this initiative during their annual visioning session. Currently it is staffed by off duty personnel, but Chief Hurley is developing a plan to implement this patrol as soon as possible. Martin said, “It requires training and staffing, but I think we are moving in the direction that this presentation suggests.”

For more information on the Task Force or to volunteer to assist, people are invited to contact Christine Harmon or Toby Tovar via email. The Task Force also maintains a Facebook page: Amelia Island Beach and Marine Life Protection Task Force.