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Hamilton Harbour Essay

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The Hamilton Harbour, a major land mark in the Hamilton community, has been riddled with harmful bacteria for decades. (Moir, 2013) The most recent focus is on lowering the levels of E. coli found in the harbour to allow for safe swimming conditions for the community. (Moir, 2013) The main source of the E. coli in the harbour is the fecal matter of local waterfowl. (Moir, 2013) To help lower the levels of E. coli in the harbour, with a particular focus on the calmer, shallower areas used for swimming, dissuading the water fowl population is key. (Becker & Nennich, 2006) Some strategies to achieve this are: using buoy lines to designate swimming areas and to stop waterfowl from entering during molting season while they cannot fly, adding in fencing for swimming areas on the beach to stop waterfowl from walking onto the beach and defecating in the sand, increasing trained dog harassment techniques during swimming season, create faux hunting environments using plants to make the waterfowl feel insecure in the area and most importantly, educate the public on this situation and its dangers to dissuade them from feeding and encouraging the waterfowl population to grow and rely on the Hamilton …show more content…

These solutions are simple and effective solutions to the present issues and if combined may have a significant effect on the Harbour’s condition, but as with most proposed solutions there are issues to accompany them. The main issue is the living conditions for the waterfowl; harassment and displacement of the local waterfowl is inhumane, unless a more suitable area is made for them away from in another area of the Harbour.

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