Location
Key Information
| 30 km2 | MARINE AREA |
| 30 km2 | TOTAL AREA i |
Boundary: NOAA (Unmodified)
2.0
November 2023
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Purpose
To protect Ecological Reserves, which are able to protect an entire range of marine habitats found in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. These large, contiguous, diverse habitats help protect natural spawning, nursery, and permanent-residence areas needed for sustainable populations of fish and other marine life.
Species of Concern: Seagrass, sea turtle, coral
Regulations Summary
Restrictions
The following activities are prohibited:
1. Possessing, moving, removing, taking, damaging, disturbing, breaking, cutting, spearing, or otherwise injuring any coral, marine invertebrate, fish, bottom formation, algae, seagrass or other living or dead organism, including shells, or attempting any of these activities.
2. Fishing by any means.
3. Touching living or dead coral, including but not limited to, standing on a living or dead coral formation.
Allowed
1. Fish, invertebrates, and marine plants may be possessed aboard a vessel, provided such vessel is in continuous transit through such reserve or area and such resources are stowed in a cabin, locker, or similar storage area prior to entering and during transit through such reserve or area.
2. Gear capable of taking fish may be aboard a vessel, provided such gear is not available for immediate use when entering the area.