Beach wildlife feeding

Keep food away from beach wildlife

Feeding or attracting marine wildlife can disrupt normal feeding cycles, expose animals to harmful food, and habituate them to people.

Your four choices

Do not offer food to wildlife or leave food where animals can reach it.

Do not use food, decoys, sound, or light to attract marine wildlife.

Take food scraps, packaging, and other litter with you when you leave the beach.

Watch wildlife from enough distance that the animals do not change their behavior.

This page gives general guidance about feeding and attracting beach wildlife.

It does not provide a local rule, species claim, incident, penalty, rescue step, or phone number.

Why should I avoid feeding or attracting beach wildlife?: Feeding or attracting marine wildlife can disrupt normal feeding cycles, expose animals to harmful food, and habituate them to people.; Source: NOAA ocean etiquette guidance (opens in a new tab)
How should I keep food away from beach wildlife?: Do not offer food to wildlife or leave food where animals can reach it.; Sources: NOAA ocean etiquette guidance (opens in a new tab), SCDNR beach wildlife guidance (opens in a new tab)
Can I use something other than food to attract beach wildlife?: Do not use food, decoys, sound, or light to attract marine wildlife.; Source: NOAA ocean etiquette guidance (opens in a new tab)
What should I do with food scraps and litter?: Take food scraps, packaging, and other litter with you when you leave the beach.; Source: SCDNR beach wildlife guidance (opens in a new tab)