2018-30644 Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 2018-30644
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING RETAIL
STORES IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH TO DISCONTINUE THE
SALE AND DISPLAY OF SOUVENIR ITEMS CONTAINING
PRESERVED DEAD ALLIGATORS, SHARKS, OR OTHER DEAD
SEA LIFE IN THE INTEREST OF MARINE CONSERVATION AND
THE PUBLIC WELFARE.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ("City") is a world-class tourist destination
that attracts visitors globally to its pristine, white sandy beaches and to its vibrant and
internationally known entertainment and cultural events; and
WHEREAS, the City has a long history as a leader amongst governmental
entities in enacting laws and adopting policies that foster the conservation of our
environment, our natural resources, and the protection of marine and other wildlife
through the banning of various polystyrene products and plastic straws on our City
beaches, parks and sidewalk cafes, and other public properties that pose negative
consequences to our environment and marine wildlife; and
WHEREAS, a disturbing and unsavory practice of selling souvenir alligator skulls
and glass bottles containing preserved shark pups or fetuses has been occurring in
various retail establishments in the City; and
WHEREAS, in response to the disgust of store patrons, some retailers have
discontinued the sale of such items, but others have continued to display and sell these
alligator skulls and/or small, dead sea creatures as local souvenirs; and
WHEREAS, as many other forms of wildlife and sea life, alligators and sharks
play a vital role in our ecosystem and should not be the object of crude and
objectionable display and profit; and
WHEREAS, moreover, under Florida law, certain species of sharks are protected
and their harvest, possession, sale, or exchange is unlawful, and Florida law also
expressly regulates the sale and possession of manufactured goods composed of
alligator skulls; and
WHEREAS, the use of alligator skulls and shark fetuses or young shark pups as
a souvenir of the City is not only a grotesque enterprise motivated by profits, but it is in
complete contradiction to the premier Miami Beach brand and the environmentally
conscious laws and policies adopted and embraced by the City; and
WHEREAS, in view of the foregoing, all retail stores in the City should
immediately discontinue the display and sale of these macabre curios.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby urge retail stores in the City of Miami Beach to discontinue the sale
and display of souvenir items containing preserved dead alligators, sharks, or other sea
life in the interest of marine conservation and the public welfare.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of December, 2018.
ATTEST: %f
,` B�.�;�,,, Dan Gelber, Mayor
,,.
Ra'ael E. Granado, City C'-`rk -"`� z• '`� ,:.; APPROVED AS TO
* =.IidCORP ORATEO..i FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
� '(Sponsored by Commissione J
(Co-sponsored by Vice Mayor ngfYa) City Attorney
Dote
F:\ATTO\TURN\RESOS\Draft Resolution Urging Retailers to Discontinue the Sale and Display of Preserved Shark Souvenirs.doc
Agenda Item C 7 L
Date - 2-
MIAMIBEACH
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
cc: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
FROM: Raul J. Aguila, City Attorne () (1
DATE: December 12, 2018
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING. RETAIL STORES IN THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH TO DISCONTINUE THE SALE AND DISPLAY OF SOUVENIR
ITEMS : CONTAINING PRESERVED DEAD ALLIGATORS, SHARKS, OR
OTHER: DEAD SEA LIFE IN:THE INTEREST OF MARINE CONSERVATION
AND THE PUBLIC WELFARE.
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner.Mark Samuelian, the above-referenced.Resolution
is submitted for consideration by the Mayor and City Commission at the December 12, 2018
Commission meeting.
Vice-Mayor Michael Gongora is a co-sponsor for this item.
Cardillo, Lilia
From: Cardillo, Lilia
Sent: Friday,January 04, 2019 3:40 PM
To: Granado, Rafael
Subject: Resolution No. 2018-30644
As per Debbie Turner.This resolution doesn't need to be forwarded as it has already received plenty of media coverage.
M1AMIBEACH
Lilia Cardillo,Agenda Coordinator
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,FL 33139
Tel:305-673-7411/Fax:786-394-4139/www.miamibeachfl.gov
We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live,work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community
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