Two St. Pete Beach business owners face criminal charges after wildlife officers found roughly 1,500 mothballs scattered across the sand to drive away a colony of protected shorebirds, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Investigators state the deterrent campaign targeted nesting birds near a beachfront hotel property and an adjacent bar during spring nesting season.
Arrests and Charges on St. Pete Beach
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission filed charges against 47-year-old Robert Monroe, who owns the beachfront plaza property, and his 52-year-old neighbor, who owns Chris’s Beachside Bar. Both men face counts of commercial littering and attempted take of a state-listed species by harassment.
Most beach disputes involve parking spots or chairs. This case centers on birds standing between two business owners and their view of the sand. Investigators recovered a text message exchange where one of the men asked the other if he mentioned losing access to part of the beach. That message helped establish a timeline for the incident, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Did you know? Mothballs contain naphthalene, a toxic chemical compound. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission noted that using mothballs as an animal deterrent violates state and federal environmental regulations.
Why Mothballs Failed to Clear the Colony
Shorebirds had settled into a roped-off nesting area set up by community groups to protect eggs and fragile chicks from foot traffic. Investigators report the suspects deployed the 1,500 mothballs to force the colony to abandon the site. Shorebirds typically flee areas with nearby chemical hazards or perceived threats.
Despite the toxic deterrent scattered across the sand, the targeted shorebird colony stayed put. State wildlife officials confirmed that none of the birds suffered direct harm from the naphthalene exposure, proving the colony was tougher than the suspects anticipated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific charges do the business owners face?
Robert Monroe and his neighbor face charges of commercial littering and attempted take of a state-listed species by harassment, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Were any shorebirds actually harmed by the mothballs?
No. State wildlife officers confirmed that none of the birds were injured, and the colony remained in the roped-off nesting area.
Why are shorebird nesting areas roped off on Florida beaches?
Beach communities set up temporary ropes and signs every spring to shield vulnerable eggs and chicks from pedestrian traffic and human disturbance.
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