Tampa Port, Audubon Florida Announce Beginning of 2013 Nesting Season

As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, the Tampa Port Authority works with Audubon Florida, as well as state and federal regulatory conservation agencies in Florida, to provide protection annually for nesting birds and their young in the Hillsborough Bay area. The official bird nesting season extends from April 1 through August 31.

The port authority owns and operates two dredge disposal islands in Hillsborough Bay – islands 2D and 3D. Both islands and the Richard T. Paul Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary in Hillsborough Bay have been recognized collectively by BirdLife International for their importance as bird-nesting areas. Protection of the nesting birds that use the islands has evolved into a shared project.

"The Tampa Port Authority has earned a leadership role in the management of one of Florida’s most important sites for beach-nesting birds,” said Ann Paul, Audubon Florida’s regional coordinator.

Islands 2D and 3D and the Alafia Bank Bird Sanctuary are designated "no trespassing” areas year-round, and birds that nest in these areas are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as well as the Florida Threatened and Endangered Species Act of 1977.  

"The Tampa Port Authority is proud of its long-standing commitment to the health and integrity of natural life in Tampa Bay. We recognize the continued need to be engaged in partnerships that ensure the quality of our local waters,” said Paul Anderson, the port authority’s port director and CEO.

  

American Association of Port Authorities
Asociación Americana de Autoridades Portuarias
1201 Maryland Ave SW, Suite 860, Washington, D.C. 20024
E: info@aapa-ports.org
W: www.aapa-ports.org