Wisconsin Forums

[AJE]

Responsible Beachgoers

Waste from wildlife is a source of bacteria on the beach and in the water. Garbage, especially leftover food from picnics, can attract gulls, raccoons, opossums and lord knows what else to the beachfront. The wildlife then leaves their discharge all over the beaches and over time this can cause enough contamination to red flag the coast.

:arrow: Don¡'t feed seagulls or any other wildlife you encounter at the beach by doing so your aiding to the dilemma. The animals/birds will adapt to being fed by humans very quickly.

:arrow: Properly dispose of your trash in waste receptacles. Ask your local beach management agency to provide trash bins that are large enough to contain leftover garbage, even from long holiday weekends.


:arrow: Infants and toddlers are advised to wear rubber pants if they go in the water. Research concludes that waste from children does contribute to beach contamination. Incontinent adults or adults experiencing any type of gastrointestinal illness should avoid swimming in
the water as well.

:arrow: Ask your local park/beach management agency to clean up dead
Alewives. For those who don't know Alewives are a small fish that wash up onto beaches, at times in great numbers. As they decay they contribute bacteria to the lake and attract feral or scavenger wildlife, which in turn deposit additional waste on the beach.