Boaters are causing Florida islands to disappear

Unsplash photo for illustrative purposes only

​This morning the Miami Police Department posted an update on their X account reminding boaters to anchor offshore of islands.

"DISAPPEARING ISLAND - Ofc. Rios of the @MPDMarinePatrol explains how when boaters beach on the island, it actually causes #environmental damage," the department wrote, in part. "To prevent from erosion, boaters are expected to anchor in the water and to not tie off any vegetation on shore. #Marin #Patrol"
The post was accompanied by a video showing how not to park your boat--and why.
​
"Now what he does is that he picks up all that sand and the erosion begins," said Officer Rios in the video. "Little by little, the island would just disappear."

DISAPPEARING ISLAND - Ofc. Rios of the @MPDMarinePatrol explains how when boaters beach on the island, it actually causes #environmental damage. To prevent from erosion, boaters are expected to anchor in the water and to not tie off any vegetation on shore. #Marin #Patrol pic.twitter.com/IBDiJ04qLd

— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) September 2, 2023

​While boats have several negative impacts on the natural environment including manatee mutilations and fuel spills, erosion by boats continues to be an ongoing issue in Florida--and it expands beyond just coastal islands.

At a meeting in May, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) asked boating and waterways staff to reevaluate a proposal and evidence for adding in a Springs Protection Zone at Weeki Wachee Spring, as well as to a portion of the spring's associated river run in Hernando County.

According to a release shared by the FWC on Wednesday, June 7, they found that the anchoring, mooring, beaching, and grounding of vessels have caused damage to the bank, vegetation, native habitats, and aquatic grasses in and around the spring, as well as along the spring run. The proposed Springs Protection Zone would prohibit these activities within its area.
​
More information on that here.