What you can do
to protect the Coral Reef Ecosystem:
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Regulations
Sanctuary-Wide
Regulations
These are regulations that apply throughout the entire
area of the sanctuary, including other protected areas
and Sanctuary zones. The purpose of these regulations is to protect
Sanctuary resources from both direct and indirect threats. These
regulations focus on habitat protection, reducing threats
to water quality, and minimizing human impact to
delicate resources.
The following activities are prohibited Sanctuary-wide:
• Removing, injuring, or possessing coral or live rock.
• Discharging or depositing trash or other pollutants.
• Dredging, drilling, prop dredging, or otherwise altering
the seabed, or placing or abandoning any structure on the seabed.
• Operating a vessel in such a manner as to strike or otherwise
injure coral, seagrass, or other organisms attached to the seabed,or
cause prop-scarring.
• Having a vessel anchored in living coral in water less
than 40feet deep when you can see the bottom. Anchoring on hardbottom
is allowed.
• Operating a vessel at more than idle speed/no wake within
100 yards of residential shorelines, stationary vessels, and
navigational aids marking reefs.
• Operating a vessel at more than idle speed/no wake within
100feet of a diver down flag.
• Diving or
snorkeling without a dive flag.
• Operating a vessel in such a manner which endangers life,
limb,marine resources or property.
• Releasing exotic species.
• Damaging or removing markers, mooring buoys, scientific
equipment, boundary buoys, and trap buoys.
• Moving, removing, injuring, or possessing historical resources.
• Taking or possessing protected wildlife.
• Using or possessing explosives or electrical charges.
• Collecting marine life species — tropical fish, invertebrates
and plants, except as allowed by Florida Marine Life Rule (46-42F.A.C.).
Sanctuary regulations have been established to complement this
rule and apply throughout the Sanctuary.
Sanctuary Regulations
by Zone
Marine zoning is a new concept in this country, although zoning
has been used for years on land to both protect resources and
separate conflicting uses. Marine zoning has been successfully
established in other countries.
These activities are prohibited in the Ecological
Reserve and Sanctuary Preservation Areas:
• Discharging any matter except cooling water or engine
exhaust.
• Fishing by any means, removing, harvesting or possessing
any marine life. Catch and release fishing by trolling will be
allowed in Conch Reef, Alligator Reef, Sombrero Reef, and Sand
Key SPAs only.
• Touching or standing on living or dead coral.
• Anchoring on living or dead coral, or any attached organism.
Special Use Areas
• There are four Special Use Areas designated within the
Sanctuary as research only areas. These areas will be closed
to all activities. They are located in the vicinity of Conch
Reef,Tennessee Reef, Looe Key (Hawk Channel patch reef) and Eastern
Sambos Reef.‘
The Ecological Reserve, SPAs and Research-only areas are clearly
marked by round yellow marker buoys. Please note that there are
other existing state and federal laws regarding fishing that
continue to apply throughout the Sanctuary. In addition,fisheries
regulations should be obtained from the Florida Marine Patrol.
please refer to 15 CFR 922 Subpart P for Sanctuary regulations
or call (204) 292-0311 or (305) 743-2437 for a copy.
These are a summary of the prohibited activities within the Key
Largo and Looe Key Existing Management Areas. Refer to the full
regulations in the CFR 15 Part 929.
• Removing, taking, spearing, or otherwise damaging any
coral, marine invertebrates, plants, soil, rock, or other material.
However, commercial taking of spiny lobster and stone crab by
trap and recreational taking of spiny lobster by hand or hand
gear consistent with the applicable Fishery Management Plan and
regulations is allowed.
• Spearfishing:
• Possession of spearfishing equipment, except while passing
through without interruption.
Where are the zones?
Western Sambos Ecological Reserve (ER). In addition
to Sanctuary-wide regulations, special regulations have been set
in place in this area in order to protect resources. Spearfishing,
shell collecting, tropical fish collecting, and other activities
that result in the harvest of marine life by divers and snorkelers,
and all fishing activities are prohibited in this zone type. In
addition, direct physical impact to corals in this area is restricted.
Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPA). There are 18 small
SPAs that protect popular shallow coral reefs. In addition to
Sanctuary-wide regulations, special regulations have been set
in place in these areas in order to protect resources. Activities
that are prohibited in the Sanctuary Preservation Areas include
spearfishing, shell collecting, tropical fish collecting, fishing
and other activities that result in the harvest of marine life
by divers, snorkelers and fishermen. In addition, direct physical
impact to corals in these areas is restricted.
Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). There are 27 WMAs. The
majority of these areas (20) fall under the jurisdiction of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Sanctuary regulations have
been established to complement the existing USFWS management plan.Public
access restrictions in these areas include idle speed only/no
wake, no access buffer, no motor, and limited closures.
Existing Management Areas (EMA). Sanctuary regulations
have been established to complement those in existing management
areas, including Looe Key and Key Largo Management Areas as well
as the Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuges,
and all the State Parks and Aquatic Preserves.
Special Use Areas. There are four areas designated. Conch
Reef,Tennessee Reef, Looe Key (patch reef) and Eastern Sambos
reef. These are all designated as research-only areas. No person
may enter these areas except as specifically authorized by a valid
permit.
Tips for Boaters
& Fishermen
• Before heading out, check weather conditions. Strong
winds and rough seas can result in poor visibility and reduce
safe interaction at the reef.
• Dumping trash at sea is illegal; plastic bags and other
debris can injure or kill marine animals. Bring your trash back
to shore and recycle it. Try to retrieve fishing gear and equipment,
especially monofilament line.
• Use sewage pumpout facilities and biodegradable bilge
cleaner and never discharge bilgewater at the reef.
• Use reef mooring buoys or anchor in sandy areas away from
coral and seagrasses so that anchor, chain, and line do not contact
or damage coral or seagrasses.
• Accidental boat groundings damage coral and seagrasses.
Consult tide and navigational charts and steer clear of shallow
areas. Fines are imposed for such damage.
• Avoid areas which appear brown in color. Shallow reef
areas and seagrass beds will appear brown.
• If you run aground: immediately turn the engine off, and
tilt it up if possible. Do not try to motor off. Wait until high
tide to remove the vessel. Call for assistance when necessary.
• When in a dive area, slow down to an idle speed.
• Fishermen, do not troll over or near divers. Stay at least
100 feet from a red and white diver down flag and watch for bubbles.
• Florida law requires a fishing license. Applicable size,
bag limits, and seasons must be observed when harvesting seafood.
Release all the fish you cannot eat. Consult state and federal
authorities for current regulations.
• Please don’t throw fish carcasses or wrung lobsters
overboard or into canals as they degenerate and degrade water
quality.
• Practice good seamanship and safe boating. Maintain safe
distances from fishermen.
• Avoid wildlife disturbance; stay 100 yards or more offshore;
keep speed, noise and wakes to a minimum near mangroves.
• Camping, campfires and collecting of any kind are prohibited
on all National Wildlife Refuges. Personal watercraft and airboats
#are illegal in all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges in the
Florida Keys.
• Other rules and regulations apply in various areas of
the Florida Keys. Check with the appropriate governing agencies.
How to Use Reef
Mooring Buoys
Reef mooring buoys eliminate the need to drop anchor on fragile
coral reefs by providing boaters with a convenient means of securing
your boat. Anchors, line and chain can break and damage living
coral formations. Buoys are available at frequently-used reefs
within the Sanctuary and usually encircle shallow coral reefs.
We encourage you to use them instead of anchors.
• Buoys are available on a first come first served basis.
• Smaller boats are encouraged to tie off to one another,
thereby allowing larger vessels access to buoys. Remember, the
larger the vessel, the more potential damage to the coral (if
an anchor is used).
• Please maintain idle speed/no wake in the vicinity of
the mooring buoys. Watch for swimmers, snorkelers, and diver
bubbles.
• Approach slowly from downwind/current. Idle directly to
the buoy without meandering among other dive boats. Reverse the
procedure when leaving.
• Buoys have been placed to provide clearance for most boats
when tied up during normal conditions. To avoid grounding, use
caution when approaching and while tied to a buoy. Larger than
average vessels must check depths so that contact with the bottom
is avoided.
• To secure your boat to a mooring buoy, run your line through
the loop of the floating pick-up line and cleat both ends to
the bow of your boat. Add enough line to create a horizontal
pull on the eyebolt, otherwise the eyebolt will be pulled out.
A good rule to remember is: if the buoy is pulled underwater,
you must let out extra scope. On rough days, add extra scope
to the pick-up line to improve the ride of your vessel in rough
seas and reduce wear on the buoy system.
• Sailboats should not leave up large sails as steadying
sails when on a buoy; this puts too much strain on the eyebolt.
• Inspect the buoy your boat is tied to; you are responsible
for your vessel. Check that it is holding as intended and inspect
the buoy. Report problems to any of the Sanctuary offices, Sanctuary
patrol,or the Florida Marine Patrol on VHF Channel 16.
• If there are no buoys available, anchor only in sand,
NEVER IN CORAL. Always check to be sure that your anchor is not
dragging and your anchor chain is not contacting coral.
• The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary assumes no
liability for use of the buoys.
What you do (or don’t
do) can make a difference
Tips for Divers and Snorkelers
• Before booking a reef trip, check out weather conditions;
it’s best not to go out in rough seas. Poor visibility,
strong winds and waves reduce safe interaction at the reef.
• Remember that even the lightest touch with hands or equipment
can damage sensitive coral polyps.
• Snorkelers should wear float coats — inflatable snorkel
vests — to allow gear adjustment without standing on the
coral. Never stand upon a coral reef!
• To avoid contact with the ocean bottom, divers should
only use the weight needed and practice proper buoyancy control.
Areas that appear empty may support new growth if left undisturbed.
• Avoid wearing gloves and touching or collecting marine
life. Most tropical fish captured die within a year. Queen conch
is a protected species, and cannot be taken.
• Resist the temptation to feed fish, seabirds and marine
mammals; it changes their natural behavior and diet.
• Remember, it’s illegal to harvest coral in Florida
and buying it at local shops only depletes reefs elsewhere in
the world.
• Bring back any trash you find and recycle it, if possible.
• Snorkel aware,
dive with care!
Vessel Pump Out Facilities
Florida’s Clean Vessel Act requires that boaters
use approved marine sanitation devices. Raw sewage may not be
discharged in State waters or in Sanctuary Preservation Areas,
or Ecological Reserves. Any vessels that contain toilets or holding
tanks which are capable of flushing raw sewage directly into the
water are required, while in State waters, to have the valve locked
into a position that would not allow direct discharge. Boaters
are encouraged to use pumpout facilities rather than discharging
raw or treated sewage into the coral reef ecosystem.
Permanent dockside vessel pump out facilities are available
to the public at the following locations:
• Galleon Marina
• Historic Seaport at Key West Bight
• City of Key West Marina at Garrison Bight
• Key West Conch Harbor
• Peninsular Marine Enterprises
• Sunshine Key Resort and Marina
• Faro Blanco Marina
• Key Colony Beach & Marina
• Hawks Cay Resort
Public Boat Ramps
There may be fees for launching boats at these sites.
• Marathon MM 54 bayside
• Marathon, Dodge Lake, Aviation Blvd. & Harbor Drive,
behind airport, Bayside
• Marathon, MM 49, Bayside
• West of 7 Mile Bridge, MM 40 Bayside
• Bahia Honda State Recreation Area, MM 37 Oceanside
• Big Pine Key, Koehn Drive
• Spanish Harbour Channel, MM 34 Bayside
• Blimp Base, Cudjoe Key, MM 20
• Big Coppitt, MM 11 Oceanside
• Stock Island, MM 5.2 Oceanside
• Simonton Street, Key West Harbor, Key West
• Smathers Beach, South Roosevelt Blvd., Key West
• Garrison Bight, North Roosevelt Blvd., Key West
%20Logo%20Art.gif)
Go to the Next
Section
Return to Index
|