DOCSLIB.ORG

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary FloridaFlorida KeysKeys NationalNational MarineMarine Sanctuary:Sanctuary: Conservation/ManagementConservation/Management ProgramProgram BrianBrian D.D. KellerKeller RegionalRegional ScienceScience CoordinatorCoordinator SoutheastSoutheast Atlantic,Atlantic, GulfGulf ofof Mexico,Mexico, andand CaribbeanCaribbean RegionRegion NOAANOAA OfficeOffice ofof NationalNational MarineMarine SanctuariesSanctuaries National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures Southeast Florida/Florida Keys •Florida Keys Reef Tract 350 km long – S. of Miami to Dry Tortugas •Part of Florida Reef Tract, which extends to Martin County •Only system of shallow coral reefs in North America •Florida Keys: fossilized coral reefs and oolitic mud banks that formed ~125 kya National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures South Florida Marine Ecosystem Evolution of Everglades Nat. Park 1934 Protection… John Pennekamp Coral Reef Biscayne Nat. State Park 1960 Park 1968/1980 Gulf of Mexico Dry Tortugas Florida Bay Research Nat. Nat. Park Great White Key Largo Area 2007 1935/1992 Heron NWR 1938 NMS 1975 Key West Nat. Key Deer N NWR 1908 Refuge 1957 Looe Key Florida Keys NMS 1990 W E NMS 1981 Tortugas Ecol. Res. 2001 Atlantic Ocean S 60 0 60 120 Miles National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary • Designated by Congress in 1990 to protect the coral reef ecosystem surrounding the Florida Keys • Multiple-use marine protected area • Management plan 1997: 23 highly protected (no-take) marine zones • Tortugas Ecological Reserve implemented in 2001 • Total proportion no-take = 6% Florida Bay Gulf of Mexico Atlantic 9,844 km 2 Ocean National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’s Ocean Treasures Caribbean-wide Loss of Live Coral Cover White Band Disease Bleaching Bleaching Diadema Die-off FKNMS tail end … From Gardner et al. 2003 and Courtesy S. Miller Aronson & Precht 2006 CREMP:CREMP: OverallOverall CoralCoral CoverCover OverOver TimeTime http://www.floridamarine.org Mass Bleaching Hurricane Georges Bleaching Four Hurricanes National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures CREMP:CREMP: CoralCoral CoverCover OverOver TimeTime byby HabitatHabitat 25% . 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Mean % Stony Coral Cover 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 Hardbottom Deep Shallow Patch National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures Mid-channel Patch Reefs South of Marathon Marker 49 Sunshine Key Cheeca Rocks SPA National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures 25,000 septic tanks 9,000 cess pits 900 shallow wells for treated wastewater Excellent wastewater ~75,000 treatment in Key West residents in the Florida Keys (~130,000 during winter season) 124 miles of dredged Canals >3 million visitors annually (>12 million visitor days) From this… “An average day of grouper fishing in the Keys in the 1950’s!” Courtesy J. Ault (UM/RSMAS) … to this Catch of the day, 2007 Courtesy L. McClenachan (UCSD/SIO) Drivers/Pressures/Stressors • Serial overfishing & other fishing impacts • Degraded water quality – GOM via Loop/Florida Current, W Florida Shelf, Keys waste- & stormwater • Heavy human uses – nearly 30K recreational vessels, > 3M tourists/year • Climate change National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures FKNMS Management Plan 1997 http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/ 2007 National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures Purpose: balance of resource protection and human uses (compatible with conservation) National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures 1. Science Management & Administration 2. Research and Monitoring 3. Education and Outreach 4. Volunteer 5. Regulatory 6. Enforcement 7. Damage Assessment & Restoration 8. Maritime Heritage Resources 9. Marine Zoning 10. Mooring Buoys 11. Waterway Management 12. Water Quality 13. Operations 14. Evaluation National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures FKNMS Science Program Coastal Ocean Observations: field (fixed platforms & cruises) and remote sensing Water Quality Protection Program: water quality, seagrass, and coral reef monitoring Marine Zone Monitoring Program: reef fishes, spiny lobster, coral recruitment, and benthic community composition Florida Reef Resilience Program: includes surveys of coral bleaching interpreted at a sub-regional scale Also, numerous short-term research projects, most of which are relevant to management National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures FKNMS Information Needs • Sea Level Rise – Focus on Keys inundation and expansion of Florida Bay/SW shelf into the Everglades + associated impacts (including land -based sources of pollution as Chris Bergh noted yesterday) – Reefs have not accreted all that much over the past 6,000 - 7,000 years, so may not be all that much need to investigate reef drowning/keeping up with SLR – Investigate effects on Florida Bay mud banks/circulation and GoM/Atlantic tidal exchanges between Middle and Lower Keys (consider Flagler causeways) – Further modeling and development of scenarios … (e.g., Ross et al. 2009; TNC Big Pine Key inundation; Everglades/Shark River Slough inundation) National Marine Sanctuaries • America ’’s Ocean Treasures National Marine Sanctuaries P America ’’s Ocean Treasures.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Repurposing the East Coast Railway: Florida Keys Extension a Design Study in Sustainable Practices a Terminal Thesis Project by Jacqueline Bayliss
    REPURPOSING THE EAST COAST RAILWAY: FLORIDA KEYS EXTENSION A DESIGN STUDY IN SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES A terminal thesis project by Jacqueline Bayliss College of Design Construction and Planning University of Florida Spring 2016 University of Florida Spring 2016 Terminal Thesis Project College of Design Construction & Planning Department of Landscape Architecture A special thanks to Marie Portela Joan Portela Michael Volk Robert Holmes Jen Day Shaw Kay Williams REPURPOSING THE EAST COAST RAILWAY: FLORIDA KEYS EXTENSION A DESIGN STUDY IN SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES A terminal thesis project by Jacqueline Bayliss College of Design Construction and Planning University of Florida Spring 2016 Table of Contents Project Abstract ................................. 6 Introduction ........................................ 7 Problem Statement ............................. 9 History of the East Coast Railway ...... 10 Research Methods .............................. 12 Site Selection ............................... 14 Site Inventory ............................... 16 Site Analysis.................................. 19 Case Study Projects ..................... 26 Limitations ................................... 28 Design Goals and Objectives .................... 29 Design Proposal ............................ 30 Design Conclusions ...................... 40 Appendices ......................................... 43 Works Cited ........................................ 48 Figure 1. The decommissioned East Coast Railroad, shown on the left, runs alongside the Overseas
    [Show full text]
  • Reconstruction of Fire History in the National Key Deer Refuge, Monroe County, Florida, U.S.A.: the Palmetto Pond Macroscopic Charcoal Record
    University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 5-2012 Reconstruction of Fire History in the National Key Deer Refuge, Monroe County, Florida, U.S.A.: The Palmetto Pond Macroscopic Charcoal Record Desiree Lynn Kocis [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Part of the Physical and Environmental Geography Commons Recommended Citation Kocis, Desiree Lynn, "Reconstruction of Fire History in the National Key Deer Refuge, Monroe County, Florida, U.S.A.: The Palmetto Pond Macroscopic Charcoal Record. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 2012. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/1175 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Desiree Lynn Kocis entitled "Reconstruction of Fire History in the National Key Deer Refuge, Monroe County, Florida, U.S.A.: The Palmetto Pond Macroscopic Charcoal Record." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Science, with a major in Geography. Sally P. Horn, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Liem Tran, Henri Grissino-Mayer Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) Reconstruction of Fire History in the National Key Deer Refuge, Monroe County, Florida, U.S.A: The Palmetto Pond Macroscopic Charcoal Record A Thesis Presented for the Master of Science Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Desiree Lynn Kocis May 2012 Copyright © 2012 by Desiree Kocis All rights reserved.
    [Show full text]
  • Sea Level Rise Impacts in the Florida Keys
    Past and future impacts of sea level rise on terrestrial ecosystems of the Florida Keys Sugarloaf Key, Spring 2006 Mike Ross Florida International University Department of Earth & Environment/Southeast Environmental Research Center Tidal wetlands Fresh water- dependent ecosystems (restricted to the lower Keys, due to its peculiar geology) Tropical hardwood hammocks White-crowned pigeon returning to its Florida Bay nest after feeding in an Upper Keys hammock Elevation: Low --------------------------------------------------------------------------High GW Salinity: l-------Saline-----l-----Brackish--------l----Fresh----l----Brackish----l Species/Site: l—5---5-----5-----13-----15------14---16---29----35---29---24---23---23-l Keys habitat mosaic Within-island habitat mosaic is relatively simple, determined by elevation and salinity. Lower Keys islands have fresher ground water, lower elevations, and a drier climate. Keys ecosystems differ spatially in vulnerability to sea level rise; risk depends greatly on rate of SLR high e.g., Upper Keys hammocks vulnerable e.g., protected shorelines vulnerable e.g., Lower Keys hammocks vulnerable Pine forests & freshwater wetlands Hardwood low hammocks e.g., exposed shorelines vulnerable Mangroves & coastal wetlands 1 ft per 1-2 m per Probability of ecosystem (%) ecosystem loss of Probability century century Rate of sea level rise Pine Forests – doubly vulnerable due to dependence on both fire and fresh groundwater Evidence of environmental change on Sugarloaf Key– pine snags in Ross et al. buttonwood woodland 1994 Recession of Sugarloaf pine forest (toward the interior of the island, toward higher elevations) Projected habitat change with sea level rise on Sugarloaf Key Ross et al. 2009 Hurricane Wilma, October 24th, 2005 Storm Surge in the lower Keys Wilma-related mortality: Sugarloaf Key, 70-100%; Big Pine Key Big Pine Key, 10-90%; Sugarloaf Key - North Sugarloaf Key - South concentrated at elevations < 1m Ross et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Key West Attractions Association Committed to Excellence We Are Truly One the World’S Most Popular Vacation Destinations
    Welcome to KEY WEST Key West Attractions Association Committed to Excellence We are truly one the world’s most popular vacation destinations. Key West vacations offer a unique The Key West Attractions Association makes Key West combination of fun and sun, land and sea, as well as vacations great. In a commitment to excellence in family excitement day and night. entertainment, the members of the Key West Attractions Come and take a stroll through historic Old Town and must meet and maintain quality standards of cleanliness, see hundreds of examples of 19th century architecture. safety, truth in advertising, hospitality and proper complaint Sail just seven miles offshore and experience North resolution. What’s your attraction to Key West? The island America’s only living coral reef. Tour the homes of lifestyle, laid-back and relaxed? Ocean views, swaying Hemingway and Harry Truman. Enjoy deep-sea and flats palms, the flavors of the sea? The excitement of watersports sports fishing, boating, diving, snorkeling and jet skiing. by day and wild life by night? The step back in time to a Join the sunset party on a pier or the water. Visit some of swashbuckling era of pirates and treasure-laden shipwrecks? the most unique museums in the U.S. And, experience Or is it the local color? The oranges and purples of our famous our heritage in art galleries, shops, hotels and restaurants sunsets, the green of banana leaves, palm designed to suit every style and taste. fronds and sea turtles, the blue According to legend, once Key West sand gets in and turquoise of the water your shoes, you’ll return again and again.
    [Show full text]
  • Report SFRC-83/01 Status of the Eastern Indigo Snake in Southern Florida National Parks and Vicinity
    Report SFRC-83/01 Status of the Eastern Indigo Snake in Southern Florida National Parks and Vicinity NATIONAL b lb -a'*? m ..-.. # .* , *- ,... - . ,--.-,, , . LG LG - m,*.,*,*, Or 7°C ,"7cn,a. Q*Everglades National Park, South Florida Research Center, P.O.Box 279, Homestead, Florida 33030 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION ........................... 1 STUDYAREA ............................ 1 METHODS .............................. 3 RESULTS .............................. 4 Figure 1. Distribution of the indigo snake in southern Florida ..... 5 Figure 2 . Distribution of the indigo snake in the Florida Keys including Biscayne National Park ............. 6 DISCUSSION ............................. 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................ 13 LITERATURE CITED ......................... 14 APPENDIX 1. Observations of indigo snakes in southern Florida ....... 17 APPENDIX 2 . Data on indigo snakes examined in and adjacent to Everglades National Park ................. 24 APPENDIX 3. Museum specimens of indigo snakes from southern Florida ... 25 4' . Status of the Eastern Indigo Snake in Southern Florida National Parks and Vicinity Report ~F~~-83/01 Todd M. Steiner, Oron L. Bass, Jr., and James A. Kushlan National Park Service South Florida Research Center Everglades National Park Homestead, Florida 33030 January 1983 Steiner, Todd M., Oron L. Bass, Jr., and James A. Kushlan. 1983. Status of the Eastern Indigo Snake in Southern Florida National Parks and Vicinity. South Florida Research Center Report SFRC- 83/01. 25 pp. INTRODUCTION The status and biology of the eastern indigo snake, Drymarchon corais couperi, the largest North American snake (~awler,1977), is poorly understood. Destruction of habitat and exploitation by the pet trade have reduced its population levels in various localities to the point that it is listed by the Federal government as a threatened species.
    [Show full text]
  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Marine Zoning and Regulatory Review
    Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Marine Zoning and Regulatory Review Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Briefing Beth Dieveney Sanctuary Deputy Superintendent for Science and Policy June 10, 2015 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 1990 - Congress passed Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Protection Act 1997 - Management Plan, Zoning Scheme, and Regulations Implemented 2001 - Tortugas Ecological Reserve added Working to Protect Florida Keys Marine Resources Coral Reef Ecosystem: Coastal Maritime Heritage and Mangroves, Seagrass Beds and Submerged Cultural Coral Reefs Resources What types of things do the Sanctuary and Refuge regulate? • Dumping / Discharges • Spearfishing • Fishing • Vessel Speed • Personal Watercraft • Vessel Access • Groundings • Marine Construction & Dredging • Oil and Gas Development • Touching / Standing on Coral • Diving / Snorkeling • Marine Life / Aquarium Collection Existing Marine Zoning Plan • Sanctuary Wide Regulations • Existing Management Areas (Looe Key/Key Largo NMS & Refuges) • Sanctuary Preservation Areas • Ecological Reserves • Wildlife Management Areas • Special Use Areas – Research Only • Area To Be Avoided: Large Ships >50m 2011 FKNMS Condition Report: Foundation for Regulatory and Zoning Changes • Over 40 scientists provided input and underwent peer review for publication • History of discharges, coastal development, habitat loss, and over exploitation of large fish and keystone species • Poaching, vessel groundings and discharging of marine debris • Can be improved with long
    [Show full text]
  • Florida Keys Destination Guide
    s y e .k a l f . The Florida Keys & Key West: 0 80 . come as you are 1 m o .c s y ke - la f fla-keys.com 1.800.fla.keys THE FLORIDA KEYS Most people know the Florida Keys and Key West as a great getaway. One of the most unique places on earth. Calm. Serene. Laid back. Just the right setting to recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your spirits. But a getaway to the Florida Keys and Key West is much more than peace and quiet. And not just because of the legendary fishing and the world’s most spectacular dive sites. The Keys mean history. Art. Theater. Museums. Shopping. Fine dining. Entertainment. And much more. All told, 120 miles of perfect balance between natural beauty and extra-ordinary excitement. Between relaxation and activities. Between the quaint and the classic. And you’ll find our accommodations just as diverse as our pleasures. From some of the best camping spots in the country to luxurious hotels. From charming bed-and-breakfasts to rustic, family-owned lodgings. In other words, we’ve got something for everyone. In the next few pages you’ll get to know what your Florida Keys vacation can and will be like. What you’d expect. And what will surprise you. Our fame and our secrets. We figured we owed it to you. After all, we wouldn’t want you to get here and wish you had booked just a few more days. For the latest on health & safety protocols in The Florida Keys, please visit our website.
    [Show full text]
  • Keys Sanctuary 25 Years of Marine Preservation National Parks Turn 100 Offbeat Keys Names Florida Keys Sunsets
    Keys TravelerThe Magazine Keys Sanctuary 25 Years of Marine Preservation National Parks Turn 100 Offbeat Keys Names Florida Keys Sunsets fla-keys.com Decompresssing at Bahia Honda State Park near Big Pine Key in the Lower Florida Keys. ANDY NEWMAN MARIA NEWMAN Keys Traveler 12 The Magazine Editor Andy Newman Managing Editor 8 4 Carol Shaughnessy ROB O’NEAL ROB Copy Editor Buck Banks Writers Julie Botteri We do! Briana Ciraulo Chloe Lykes TIM GROLLIMUND “Keys Traveler” is published by the Monroe County Tourist Development Contents Council, the official visitor marketing agency for the Florida Keys & Key West. 4 Sanctuary Protects Keys Marine Resources Director 8 Outdoor Art Enriches the Florida Keys Harold Wheeler 9 Epic Keys: Kiteboarding and Wakeboarding Director of Sales Stacey Mitchell 10 That Florida Keys Sunset! Florida Keys & Key West 12 Keys National Parks Join Centennial Celebration Visitor Information www.fla-keys.com 14 Florida Bay is a Must-Do Angling Experience www.fla-keys.co.uk 16 Race Over Water During Key Largo Bridge Run www.fla-keys.de www.fla-keys.it 17 What’s in a Name? In Marathon, Plenty! www.fla-keys.ie 18 Visit Indian and Lignumvitae Keys Splash or Relax at Keys Beaches www.fla-keys.fr New Arts District Enlivens Key West ach of the Florida Keys’ regions, from Key Largo Bahia Honda State Park, located in the Lower Keys www.fla-keys.nl www.fla-keys.be Stroll Back in Time at Crane Point to Key West, features sandy beaches for relaxing, between MMs 36 and 37. The beaches of Bahia Honda Toll-Free in the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Florida Keys 10 Days
    THE FLORIDA KEYS 10 DAYS Home to presidents and poets who sought inspiration from the beautiful, fragile eco-system that surrounded them, the Florida Keys are truly unique. The drive, with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, is certainly breathtaking and will take you across 43 bridges from Key Largo to Key West. The famous ‘Seven Mile Bridge’ at Mile Marker 47 is more than 35,000 feet in length. DAY 1 –2 DAY 3 –4 DAY 7 –8 Miami Miami – Key West Duck Key – Islamorada Fly into Miami and enjoy 2 nights in South (155 miles) (30 miles) Beach before starting your journey down to Depart Miami and start your journey Islamorada has a reputation for the best the Florida Keys. south along the Florida Keys Overseas sport fishing in Florida. Explore wrecks and Offering a lively and funky atmosphere Scenic Highway US-1, across the Seven Mile coral gardens, or enjoy the nature trails in combined with a latin vibe, Miami attracts Bridge and travelling the length of the Keys Long Key State Park. to Key West, right at the very end on Mile visitors from all over the world. Famous Stay Marker 0. From here you will start your drive South Beach has some stunning sandy 4# Cheeca Lodge and Spa beaches, trendy designer shops and back up the Florida Keys towards Miami . glamorous boutique hotels. In the evening, Spend two nights in Key West where you ensure you experience the great nightlife will find relaxing beaches, a great choice of DAY 9 – 10 South Beach has to offer.
    [Show full text]
  • BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK Bahia Honda Key Is Home to One of Florida’S 36850 Overseas Highway Southernmost State Parks
    HISTORY BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK Bahia Honda Key is home to one of Florida’s 36850 Overseas Highway southernmost state parks. The channel Big Pine Key, FL 33043 between the old and new Bahia Honda bridges 305-872-2353 is one of the deepest natural channels in the Florida Keys. The subtropical climate has created a natural environment found nowhere else in the continental U.S. Many plants and PARK GUIDELINES animals in the park are rare and unusual, Please remember these tips and guidelines, and including marine plant and animal species of enjoy your visit: Caribbean origin. • Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. BAHIA HONDA The park has one of the largest remaining • An entrance fee is required. stands of the threatened silver palms. • The collection, destruction or disturbance of STATE PARK Specimens of the silver palm and the yellow plants, animals or park property is prohibited. satinwood, found in the park, have been • Pets are permitted in designated areas only. certified as national champion trees. The rare, Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than small-flowered lily thorn may also be found in six feet and well-behaved at all times. the park. • Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are The geological formation of Bahia Honda is Key allowed in designated areas only. A Florida Largo limestone. It is derived from a pre-historic fishing license may be required. Use diver- coral reef similar to the present-day living reefs down flags. off the Keys. Because of a drop-in sea level • Fireworks and hunting are prohibited.
    [Show full text]
  • FKNMS Lower Region
    se encuentran entre los entre encuentran se Florida la de Cayos los de coralinos arrecifes Los agua. del salinidad la o como los erizos y pepinos de mar. Las hierbas marinas son una base para la crianza del crianza la para base una son marinas hierbas Las mar. de pepinos y erizos los como aves, peces y tortugas que se enredan en ella o la ingieren, confundiéndola con alimentos. con confundiéndola ingieren, la o ella en enredan se que tortugas y peces aves, grados C), ni más cálidas de 86 grados F (30 grados C), ni a cambios pronunciados de la calidad la de pronunciados cambios a ni C), grados (30 F grados 86 de cálidas más ni C), grados atíes y diversos peces, y son el hábitat de organismos marinos filtradores, así como forrajeros, como así filtradores, marinos organismos de hábitat el son y peces, diversos y atíes delicados puede asfixiarlos, romperlos o erosionarlos. La basura puede resultar mortal para las para mortal resultar puede basura La erosionarlos. o romperlos asfixiarlos, puede delicados vivir a la exposición continua de aguas del mar a temperaturas por debajo de los 68 grados F (18 F grados 68 los de debajo por temperaturas a mar del aguas de continua exposición la a vivir ue at motned acdn lmnii.Poocoa lmnoalstrua,man- tortugas, las a alimento Proporcionan alimenticia. cadena la de importante parte tuyen que las aves mueran de hambre. El cordel de pescar y la basura que se enreda en los corales los en enreda se que basura la y pescar de cordel El hambre.
    [Show full text]
  • Florida Keys (“The Conch Republic”)
    OVERVIEW OF QUEEN CONCH STROMBUS GIGAS RESTORATION EFFORTS Megan Davis*, Gabriel A. Delgado, and Robert A. Glazer Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. 5600 US 1 North Fort Pierce, Florida 34946 USA [email protected] The queen conch, Strombus gigas, is classified as a commercially threatened fisheries species by IUCN and the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). This large gastropod mollusk is an important keystone herbivore, which is found in shallow seagrass and sand habitats in the Florida Keys, Caribbean region, and Central and South America. Because this species has a planktonic larva that drifts for 2-6 weeks in the warm waters of the Caribbean, fishery managers often discuss the necessity of a pan-Caribbean management plan for this species. There are several restoration efforts used today to help ease fisheries pressure, and they include: regulations and closures, translocation of adult conch, marine protected areas, and aquaculture for stock enhancement and ranching. Regulations, Translocations, and Marine Protected Areas Fisheries regulations throughout the Caribbean focus on size at catch (e.g., flared lip is necessary), bag limits, complete closure such as in Florida and Bermuda, and export closures from the Caribbean to the United States by CITES. The success of these regulations for maintaining steady populations for fishing or recovery of the species will depend on enforcement efforts, optimal habitat and water quality, and whether the spawning aggregations are dense enough to ensure internal fertilization by an adequate number of mating pairs. Recovery of the queen conch in the Florida Keys has been slow (estimated 35,000 adults in 2003) even though the commercial fishery was closed in 1975 and the recreational fishery followed suit in 1985.
    [Show full text]