PISMO BEACH – Experts say pigeon droppings are responsible for high bacteria levels detected in the ocean near the Pismo Beach Pier, where the birds roost by the hundreds.
Over the years, San Luis Obispo County health officials have periodically posted warnings urging swimmers and surfers to stay out of the ocean south of the pier because of the high bacterial counts.
Pismo Beach partnered with California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, two years ago to conduct the $600,000 ocean-water quality study to determine the source of the bacterial.
Cal Poly professor Chris Kitts says in his final report this week that the study shows pigeon droppings are responsible for the high bacteria counts.
The study suggests Pismo Beach find a way to reduce or remove the pier’s burgeoning pigeon population.
Information from: Santa Maria Times, http://www.santamariatimes.com/