HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal - Maji Ramos - Letter to CommissionersNovember 16, 2023
Dear Commissioners,
Submitted into the public
record for item(s) (l, - 1 S
on 1\—\\P c3. City Clerk
In less than 5 1/2 weeks, five Brown Pelicans, one Magnificent Frigatebird and two Ibis have
died preventable and horrific deaths at the recently confirmed Mangrove rookery off the Morningside
shoreline. Four of the Pelicans and one Magnificent Frigatebird were tangled in fishing lines, three were
injured by motor vessels and I'm sure there are many more. There has also been an increase in seabird
injuries including fractures.
There have not been sightings of nesting brown pelicans for a very long time in the northern basin of
Biscayne Bay and there are over ten nests at the Mangrove rookery. There are over 24
Magnificent Frigatebirds that are showing signs of nesting on the east side of the rookery. The only
other place they nest in North America is Long Key and the Dry Tortugas! These are the only known
breeding grounds in the US. This is a species of high conservation concern.
Bird Key, the historic rookery dating back to the 1920's located off Belle Meade, sadly collapsed in 2019
due to an increase of jetski traffic. We suspect that many of the marine birds that fled that rookery
moved to Mangrove rookery off Morningside.
There has been an increase of jetskis and motor vessels since Covid. Many are speeding at high speed in
an Aquatic Preserve (manatee zone in front of a protected rookery.) We have witnessed jetskis chasing
marine birds and even saw a jet ski run over a pelican seemingly intentionally. Sadly, we were unable to
find the bird.
Please see Manatee Protection Zone map
https://mvfwc.com/media/7310/miamidadempz-bramaps.pdf
The pollution on the shoreline has dramatically increased as well. We believe most of the
trash is washing ashore from litter left on the picnic islands. There are jetskis that pick people
up from our floating docks at Morningside Park (which is a non -motorized vessel area) and taking them to the
islands. I doubt they are removing their trash. FYI one more additional garbage pick up at
the islands per week is not going to cut it. This was suggested at the Morningside Civic Assoc
meeting last month.
It is not only the shorelines that are affected but the bay and everything that lives in it.
We are requesting the following:
1. A non -motorized vessel zone surrounding the rookery.
2. Enforcement of no wake zone in the manatee and rookery area.
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Submitted into the public
recotd for item(s) . I S
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3. Enforcement of signs with no boats/jetskis/ jetcars at the floating dock in the park.
4. Enforcement of stopping commercial concessions at the park including jetski/jetcar
or any other watercraft business operating illegally from the park.
5. Enforcement of no fishing signs on the floating dock and 59 St.
6. Enforcement of the City Code on the islands:
Sec. 38-60. - Boating, vessels, and other watercraft.
Boats may be launched only where ramps have been provided. Anchoring, mooring, or docking of boats on any city
This will end the Jetski "ferry" business operating from the floating dock and will greatly diminish the garbage left on tl
7. Signage and enforcement of Leave No Trace on the picnic islands and Morningside shoreline.
8. Educational campaign with signage close to the shoreline:
a) What is a rookery, why are they important. There are only 3 left in Biscayne Bay)
b) The effect of pollution (killing seabirds right off the shore and other wildlife,
including another fish kill if it persists.
c) Responsible fishing practices and why it is important.
This past weekend I also saw 2 porpoises, several manatees, schools of fish and hundreds of
Marine birds off our coast. It is teaming with life. The Magnificent Frigatebirds and brown
pelicans will attract much attention and I have no doubt people will travel to see these rare birds.
It is not often when you are presented with an opportunity to really make a difference
especially with wildlife in an urban city like Miami. This is it..
Please do the right thing and protect this fragile ecosystem.
Below is a copy of my PowerPoint presentation.
Mside Rookery City Cmmr Mtg 23-10-25.pptx
Sincerely,
Maji Ramos
Morningside resident
305-519-7940