Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Florida Keys National Marine Protection Program, long-term monitoring of coral reefs, seagrass meadows and water Sanctuary (FKNMS) protects a coral reef quality aids in identifying changes in habitats ecosystem that is home to one of North and marine life, as well as the role humans America’s most diverse communities of play in those environmental changes. underwater plants and animals. Nearly 6,000 Sanctuary managers use this information to marine species inhabit the coral reefs, develop programs and strategies to better mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and conserve and restore sanctuary habitats. other habitats of the Florida Keys. The sanctuary protects these resources, which are Education and Outreach Photo: NOAA critical to supporting the tourist and fishing Promoting sanctuary stewardship, best More than 1,000 historic shipwrecks are based economy of the area. The ecosystem practices, sustainable use, and the results of scattered beneath the waters of the attracts tourists who enjoy diving, boating and research and monitoring studies are critical to Florida Keys. other forms of ocean recreation, and sustains valuable commercial and recreational resource protection. Programs and exhibits at fisheries. The sanctuary also helps preserve the Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, located the nation’s maritime history by protecting in Key West, deliver messages of ocean shipwrecks and other irreplaceable heritage conservation to visitors from around the world. resources. Through its Blue Star program, the sanctuary recognizes dive operators who voluntarily educate their customers about sustainable Research and Monitoring diving practices. The sanctuary’s Team In coordination with many research partners, OCEAN program teaches boaters how to the sanctuary facilitates research and reduce their impacts to coral reefs. Social monitoring projects that further resource media, radio, news print, the sanctuary’s protection goals. Research projects focus on website, partnerships and community-based ecosystem health, coral reef ecology and Photo: Bill Goodwin, NOAA programs are also used to reach local, national, habitat restoration, fisheries, and marine Seven species of stony corals found in and international audiences who visit and live reserves. Under the sanctuary’s Water Quality the Florida Keys are protected under the in the Florida Keys. Endangered Species Act.

Photo: NOAA Mangrove trees form a productive habitat along 1,800 miles of natural shoreline in the Keys.

Photo: David Ruck, NOAA A diver explores coral reefs in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

http://floridakeys.noaa.gov Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Location The water surrounding the archipelago formed by the Florida Keys

Protected Area 3,801 square miles

Designation November 1990

Habitats Coral reefs Hardbottom Mangrove-fringed shorelines and islands Sand flats Seagrass meadows Find Us Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Key Species Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Network of marine protected areas Bottlenose dolphin Environmental Complex Encompasses more than 600,000 square miles Brain and star coral 33 East Quay Road Established October 1972 Grouper Key West, FL 33040 Loggerhead sponge 305-809-4700 On the Web Spiny lobster sanctuaries.noaa.gov Tropical reef fish On the Web www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries Email: [email protected] Instagram: @noaasanctuaries www.facebook.com/floridakeysnoaagov Twitter: @sanctuaries Twitter: @floridakeysnms Tumblr: @noaasanctuaries

Photo: Indiana University Photo: NOAA Photo: NOAA The wreck of the City of Washington lies on A scorpionfish hides in the seagrass beds. Florida Keys NMS protects the third largest Elbow Reef, east of Key Largo. living coral barrier reef system in the world.

http://floridakeys.noaa.gov