Save the Manatee Club warns public not to use glitter-filled floatation devices

Share
Glitter pollution from flotation devices has been found in Blue Spring State Park. By Bonnie Philp of the Florida Park Service.

Environmental advocates are asking people not to use glitter-filled floatation devices because of their potential to harm wildlife.

Listen:

Save the Manatee Club has recently learned of “quite a few instances” where glitter tubes have burst and sent plastic pollution into Florida waterways. 

Cora Berchem, who is a manatee research associate for the national nonprofit, said a new line of glitter tubes seem to be more flimsy than other flotation devices. The tubes are meant to be used in pools and not in springs or open waterways.

But Berchem said another staff member who volunteers at Blue Spring State Park, has noticed glitter and pieces of plastic in the park’s waters. Although, Berchem said the tubes are likely posing problems elsewhere.

“I don’t think it’s a local issue to one of our Florida state parks or springs,” Berchem said. “I think it’s a really widespread issue.” 

The park, which is north of Orlando, is home to a variety of birds and fish, in addition to manatees. Berchem said if the animals ingest plastic, they can get sick or even die. 

Management at Blue Spring State Park now has a sign at the entrance that says the glitter-filled flotation devices aren’t allowed in the park. Berchem said staff are also approaching people if they notice the tubes are being brought in or used. 

The public has been “very receptive” to Save the Manatee Club’s message, Berchem said. Oftentimes, she said people aren’t aware the tubes can burst.

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

You may also like

student meal
Next school year Hillsborough public schools are offering free meals

Hillsborough Public Schools are offering students free meals for the...

Correspondence Through Poetry. A Mind-Numbing Week.

Father Verses Sons: A Correspondence in Poems by Herbert Gold...

The sound of change: Music’s influence on anti-war and human rights movements

Throughout history, music has served as a powerful catalyst for...

a man in a tye dye shirt talking on a radio microphone
Recreational pot for Florida is on the ballot this fall—let’s talk about it

In four months, Florida voters have the opportunity to vote...

Ways to listen

WMNF is listener-supported. That means we don't advertise like a commercial station, and we're not part of a university.

Ways to support

WMNF volunteers have fun providing a variety of needed services to keep your community radio station alive and kickin'.

Follow us on Instagram

Revenge of the Synth
Player position: