Seriously, just stop feeding the birds on the beach, a New Jersey mayor is telling residents and visitors.
“Some people think it’s funny to feed the gulls and see them swarm,” Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in a letter posted on the town’s website on Friday. But the birds have become increasingly aggressive and are snatching food out of people’s hands, posing a public safety hazard, he warned.
The town in Cape May County has a population of around 11,000, but like many coastal towns, it experiences an influx of beach-goers in the summer, who may munch on french fries or other boardwalk food, and accidentally (or intentionally) share some of it with the coastal birds.
Gillian wants it to end.
“For the health and safety of both animals and humans, this must stop,” he said. “Feeding gulls and wildlife in Ocean City is against the law.”
Gillian encouraged boardwalk vendors to provide enclosed carry-out food containers and said his administration will explore the possibility of putting up nets or using noise to prevent the seagulls from snatching food.
People caught feeding wildlife on city property could face a fine of up to $500 or 90 days in prison, or both, according to an ordinance database maintained by the Ocean City Clerk’s office.
Not only does feeding seagulls embolden them and increase the risk of them diving toward your lunch, it isn’t good for them, either. Human food is often inferior to their natural diets and could make them sick, according to conservationists.
And of course, it’s pretty scary to see a large bird lunge at you when you are just trying to enjoy a day on the beach.
don't feed seagulls, kids pic.twitter.com/aZee8dF4mV
— treesh (@ohthatstricia) July 12, 2016
Gillian noted that you can’t hit or throw things at the birds to scare them away, but some experts advise you to snack underneath awnings or umbrellas to help avoid unwanted lunch guests.
Cassidy Grom may be reached at cgrom@njadvancemedia.com Follow her at @cassidygrom. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.
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