The National Marine Sanctuaries Act of 1972 authorized the designation and management of
marine environments with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational,
ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, or educational qualities as National
Marine Sanctuaries. Managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
(NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program, these sanctuaries are designed to protect marine
resources.
Florida Keys Reef
The Florida Keys are known for their coral reefs as well as other interdependent habits
including mangroves and seagrass beds. The Florida Reef Tract is home to over 6,000
species of plants, fishes, and invertebrates, including the only coral reef system in U.S. waters.
This complex ecosystem is the foundation for the commercial and recreational fishing
industries as well as the tourism-based economies that are vital to south Florida.
Close-up of Brain Coral
In 1990, 2,800 square nautical miles (16 square kilometers) of coastal waters surrounding the
Florida Keys were designated as a national marine sanctuary. The sanctuary extends in a
northeast to southwest arc beginning at the Biscayne National Park for over 200 miles (322 km)
to, but not including, the Dry Tortugas Islands. From that point, it turns north and east, covering
a large area of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Bay.
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary utilizes zoning to manage the resources within its
boundaries. This zoning helps to reduce user conflicts and to minimize the overall impact to
heavily used areas on the reef. Other management techniques are dependent upon the reef,
water quality, fish, and invertebrate monitoring data.
marine environments with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational,
ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, or educational qualities as National
Marine Sanctuaries. Managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
(NOAA) National Marine Sanctuary Program, these sanctuaries are designed to protect marine
resources.
Florida Keys Reef
The Florida Keys are known for their coral reefs as well as other interdependent habits
including mangroves and seagrass beds. The Florida Reef Tract is home to over 6,000
species of plants, fishes, and invertebrates, including the only coral reef system in U.S. waters.
This complex ecosystem is the foundation for the commercial and recreational fishing
industries as well as the tourism-based economies that are vital to south Florida.
Close-up of Brain Coral
In 1990, 2,800 square nautical miles (16 square kilometers) of coastal waters surrounding the
Florida Keys were designated as a national marine sanctuary. The sanctuary extends in a
northeast to southwest arc beginning at the Biscayne National Park for over 200 miles (322 km)
to, but not including, the Dry Tortugas Islands. From that point, it turns north and east, covering
a large area of the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Bay.
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary utilizes zoning to manage the resources within its
boundaries. This zoning helps to reduce user conflicts and to minimize the overall impact to
heavily used areas on the reef. Other management techniques are dependent upon the reef,
water quality, fish, and invertebrate monitoring data.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, located in Florida, was
the first underwater park within the United States. Located
adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and
extending into the Atlantic Ocean, this park covers approximately
178 nautical square miles (1.3 square km). Coral reefs, seagrass
beds, and mangroves are included within the park boundaries.
Dr. Gilbert Voss of the Marine Institute of Miami observed damage
to the reefs off the Florida Keys during the late 1950s. Much of the
damage was a result of the collection of coral, shells, seahorses,
and other marine life for souvenirs to tourists. He suggested that
there should be some restrictions on the exploitation of the reefs
to avoid destruction of the reefs. A powerful ally, John D.
Pennekamp had played a major role in the establishment of the
Everglades National Park and later became the assistant editor for
the Miami Herald. They, along with other conservationists,
eventually convinced the Florida Board of Parks and Historic
Memorials to designate a 75 square mile (194.2 square km)
section of marine habitat as a preserve. Dedication ceremonies
were held on December 10, 1960, when Governor Leroy Collins
named America's first underwater park as John Pennekamp Coral
Reef State Park. The park was named after John D. Pennekamp in
appreciation of the support that had been given by Pennekamp
and the Miami Herald.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, located in Florida, was
the first underwater park within the United States. Located
adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and
extending into the Atlantic Ocean, this park covers approximately
178 nautical square miles (1.3 square km). Coral reefs, seagrass
beds, and mangroves are included within the park boundaries.
Dr. Gilbert Voss of the Marine Institute of Miami observed damage
to the reefs off the Florida Keys during the late 1950s. Much of the
damage was a result of the collection of coral, shells, seahorses,
and other marine life for souvenirs to tourists. He suggested that
there should be some restrictions on the exploitation of the reefs
to avoid destruction of the reefs. A powerful ally, John D.
Pennekamp had played a major role in the establishment of the
Everglades National Park and later became the assistant editor for
the Miami Herald. They, along with other conservationists,
eventually convinced the Florida Board of Parks and Historic
Memorials to designate a 75 square mile (194.2 square km)
section of marine habitat as a preserve. Dedication ceremonies
were held on December 10, 1960, when Governor Leroy Collins
named America's first underwater park as John Pennekamp Coral
Reef State Park. The park was named after John D. Pennekamp in
appreciation of the support that had been given by Pennekamp
and the Miami Herald.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Dry Tortugas National Park
The Dry Tortugas National Park is approximately 70 miles (112.9
km) off Key West. This park includes a group of seven islands
composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. These
islands were first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513 and
named after the abundance of sea turtles or "tortugas" along with
the absence of freshwater as these islands were dry. During the
early 1800's, the U.S. military began the construction of a massive
fort in the Dry Tortugas. However, the fort was never completed
due to the invention of the rifled cannon which made this fort
obsolete. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Fort
Jefferson and the surrounding waters as a national monument. It
was later redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992 to
protect marine life as well as the historical aspects of the area.
The Dry Tortugas National Park is approximately 70 miles (112.9
km) off Key West. This park includes a group of seven islands
composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. These
islands were first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513 and
named after the abundance of sea turtles or "tortugas" along with
the absence of freshwater as these islands were dry. During the
early 1800's, the U.S. military began the construction of a massive
fort in the Dry Tortugas. However, the fort was never completed
due to the invention of the rifled cannon which made this fort
obsolete. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Fort
Jefferson and the surrounding waters as a national monument. It
was later redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992 to
protect marine life as well as the historical aspects of the area.
All About Florida
Keys Scuba
Diving and
Florida Keys Dive
Trips
Keys Scuba
Diving and
Florida Keys Dive
Trips
Florida Keys Diving
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