News Release

Enhanced Enforcement of Shorebird Protections Begins for 2021 Season

Date: May 7, 2021
Contact: Stephenie Wade, 850-939-7952

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Gulf Islands National Seashore has begun increasing enforcement actions to protect nesting shorebirds. 

The actions include lowering speed limits to 25 mph on Highway 399, speed humps, blocked off seashore areas, and increasing speed limit enforcement patrols. All efforts are meant to provide nesting shorebirds and their chicks the best chance to survive through the nesting and fledgling process.

Each year, beginning in February/March and ending in late summer, the Gulf Island National Seashore provides an important habitat for several species of ground nesting shorebirds including, Least Terns, Snowy Plovers, Wilson’s Plovers, and Black Skimmers.

Adult birds and their tiny chicks are sometimes struck by vehicles as they look for food near or on roadways. To decrease the number of road kills, posted speed limits have been temporarily reduced to 25 mph near nesting areas and speed limit enforcement patrols are being increased.

In addition to roadway changes, small portions of the seashore are closed to all visitors. Intrusion into the nesting areas can cause birds to take flight, leaving their nests vulnerable to heat and predators. If visitors find themselves besieged by birds, it means that you are near an unmarked nesting area or young chicks. Please leave the area by back-tracking.

Visitors and motorists can help reduce the loss of imperiled species by being mindful of closed areas, posted speed limits and watching out for animals, including adult birds and chicks, crossing the roads.

The Beach and Dune Habitat Protection Project that allows for these enhanced shorebird protection measures is a Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Early Restoration project that is being paid for with funds provided by BP as part of a 2015 settlement agreement with federal, state, and local governments. NRDA projects compensate the public for injuries to natural resources and the loss of the services they provide, such as recreational use.

More information about other Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment restoration projects can be found at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov 

About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.