Venice has banned the feeding of pigeons in St. Mark's Square and barred vendors of grain for the birds from the area.

Tourists and locals have been feeding the pigeons on the famous square for decades.

The no-feed policy is part of a campaign to improve decorum and cleanliness in Venice, according to the Reuters news service.

Animal-rights activists responded May 2, two days after the ban took effect, by taking food to the square's hundreds of birds.

Tourists or locals caught giving crumbs or seeds to the pigeons will be fined about $77.