The area of the Marine Park is typical of many tourist destinations in the Caribbean where swimmers, snorkelers, jet skis, para sails and fishermen share the same body of water.  Swimmers are often put at risk because there is no safe haven free from motorized vessels, especially jet skis.  Designating areas 'swim only' zones and demarking those areas with buoys is the most common way of dealing with the conflict between boaters and swimmers.  Demarcation buoys have been installed, creating swim lanes and two vessel access lanes.

The designation of two well-marked entry lanes for vessels to approach shore allows the current boating activity to continue.  Motorized vessels approach shore inside of these entry lanes at idle speed.  Abundant space would be allocated near the Casa marina Dock to provide safe maneuvering and docking.  Designated swim areas are preferred by boat captains who do not like to navigate around free-roaming swimmers while approaching shore.

Establishing the Key West Marine Park as a voluntary no harvest zone enhances the experience for those who snorkel in the park and also provides a protected habitat for fish.  The White Street Pier is not included within the boundaries of the park to allow fishing activities on the pier to continue.  Reef Relief is seeking permits to establish fish habitats within the area of the Park.  Natural reef habitats composed of limestone boulders provide habitat for various species of fish and also provide hard substrate for corals to attach to.  Fish habitats would provide anglers with increased catches on nearby fishing piers as the fish mature and migrate out of the protected area.  These habitats would be strategically placed, away from the marked boat entry lanes, to attract snorkelers away from the vessel traffic.