As you know, Southwest Florida is brimming with wildlife! From dolphins to birds, manatees to sharks, thousands of species of animals have made Fort Myers their home sweet home! As conservationists, we advocate for the protection of all our natural resources, especially when it comes to our animal populations. Whether you are visiting or have also made Fort Myers your home sweet home, we would like to highlight some of what we feel is the most important steps you can personally take to ensure the safety of all our beloved local animals.
- Limit Your Use of Plastics and Dispose of Waste Responsibly
Did you know that it takes thousands of years for plastic to degrade? Not only does this plastic build up in landfills alongside other waste, this trash can find its way into the ocean and harm wildlife. When possible, avoid plastics and items with excess packaging and consider using reusable bags and other items to limit your use of plastics.
- Dispose of Fishing Line Responsibly
Monofilament fishing line takes about 600 years to degrade. If left in the ocean, it can provide an entangling web that threatens whales, fish, turtles and more. Never discard your fishing line into the water – dispose of it responsibly by recycling it if you can, or into the garbage. Many fishing locations in Southwest Florida have specially marked disposal trash cans for disposing of your Fishing Line. If you are on our tour, we will take care of this for you!
- View Marine Life Responsibly
You’ve already made the right decision by experiencing and viewing our wildlife with us! Always watch marine life from a distance and do not ever disturb an animal in its natural environment. Our professional guides will explain when it is ok to touch an animal and when it is not. If you are not on our tour, always remember to return live shells to the water and do not ever feed any wild animal.
- Get Involved!
Help clean up a local beach, park or roadway and pick up that litter before it gets into the marine environment. Even trash hundreds of miles from the ocean can eventually float or blow into the ocean. Find out more about beach clean ups in your area here.
