By Cyndi Sellers

Katie Barnes, of the Louisiana Audubon Society, reported to the Police Jury last week that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will be assisting with enforcement of nesting shorebird and dune protection this summer.

The LDWF has expressed interest in replacing the dune protection and speed limit signage at Cameron Parish beaches, she said, and beach rules and soft sand signs need to be replaced. “Lots of people are getting stuck out there,” she said.

Louisiana Audubon will have two technicians at the beach this year. They will be setting up warning fences and monitoring to protect nesting colonies of shorebirds.

Endangered Least Terns, Wilson’s Plovers, and Common Nighthawks nest in the Rutherford Beach area, which is also extremely popular with beachgoers. With consideration and care, everyone can share the beach, Barnes says.