Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Regulations

A boat with two men aboard a boat with the words Law Enforcement on the side
Sanctuary regulations are enforced by state and federal law enforcement agencies. Photo: Scott Atwell/NOAA

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is meant to be enjoyed by divers, swimmers, snorkelers, boaters, and fishermen; however, rules and regulations are in place to make sure that these activities happen in ways — and at places — that are not harmful to sanctuary resources.

The sanctuary uses a strategy called "marine zoning" to protect special habitat types such as corals, to avoid conflict by user groups such as divers and anglers, and to balance commercial and recreational interests with the need for a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.

The summary of regulations that follows is a general reference to sanctuary regulations, separated by those that apply throughout the sanctuary and those that apply to specific sanctuary zones. The full text of the sanctuary regulations can be found at 15 CFR 922 Subpart P and should be referred to for more specific information. A copy of the regulations can also be obtained by calling any sanctuary office.

If you see something, say something. Learn  how to report a regulatory violation.

Sanctuary-Wide Regulations

Regulations that apply throughout the entire area of the sanctuary, both in highly protected areas and general-use areas, have a focus on habitat protection, reducing threats to water quality, and minimizing human impact to delicate resources.

Note that the text below is intended as summary only; for the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.

With certain exceptions, the following activities are prohibited sanctuary-wide:

  • Mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, development and production
  • Removing, injuring, or possessing coral or live rock (substrate with living organisms attached)
  • Dredging, drilling, prop dredging, or otherwise altering the seabed, or placing or abandoning any structure on the seabed
  • Discharging or depositing treated or untreated sewage from marine sanitation devices, trash, and other materials
  • Operating a vessel in such a manner as to strike or otherwise injure coral, seagrass, or other immobile organisms attached to the seabed, or cause prop scarring
  • Having a vessel anchored on living coral in water less than 40 feet deep when the bottom can be seen. Anchoring on hard bottom is allowed
  • Except in officially marked channels, operating a vessel at more than 4.6 miles per hour (4 knots)/no wake within 300 feet (100 yards) of residential shorelines, stationary vessels, or navigational aids marking reefs
  • Operating a vessel at more than 4.6 miles per hour (4 knots)/no wake within 300 feet (100 yards) of a "divers down" flag
  • Operating a vessel in such a manner which endangers life, limb, marine resources, or property
  • Diving or snorkeling without a dive flag
  • Releasing exotic species
  • Damaging or removing markers, mooring buoys, scientific equipment, boundary buoys, and trap buoys
  • Moving, removing, injuring, or possessing historical resources
  • Taking or possessing protected wildlife
  • Using or possessing explosives or electrical charges
  • Harvesting, possessing or landing any marine life species except as allowed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Rule (68B-42 F.A.C.)
  • Interfering with law enforcement

Additionally, there are other existing state and federal laws regarding fishing and vessel discharges that apply in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Contact the appropriate agencies or organizations directly for more information on these laws.

State fisheries regulations are available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Federal fisheries regulations are available from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, or the National Marine Fisheries Service - Southeast Region.

Zone-Specific Regulations

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary established the nation's first comprehensive network of marine zones in 1997 after years of planning, design, and public input. The marine zoning plan for the Sanctuary includes five types of zones with varying levels of protection: ecological reserves, sanctuary preservation areas, wildlife management areas, existing management areas, and special-use areas.

Marine zoning is designed to protect and preserve sensitive parts of the ecosystem while allowing activities that are compatible with resource protection.

Note that the text below is intended as summary only; for the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.

The following activities are prohibited in the ecological reserves (ERs) and sanctuary preservation areas (SPAs) (exceptions noted):

  • Discharging any matter except cooling water or engine exhaust
  • Fishing by any means; removing, harvesting, or possessing any marine life. Catch and release fishing by trolling is allowed in Conch Reef, Alligator Reef, Sombrero Reef, and Sand Key SPAs only.
  • Touching or standing on living or dead coral
  • Anchoring on living or dead coral or any attached organism
  • Anchoring when a mooring buoy is available

Additional regulation for the Tortugas Ecological Reserve South:

  • Vessels may only enter if they remain in continuous transit with fishing gear stowed (diving and snorkeling are prohibited).

Additional regulations for the Tortugas Ecological Reserve North:

  • Access permit required to stop or use a mooring buoy
  • Anchoring is prohibited
  • Mooring by vessel(s) more than 100 feet in total or combined length overall is prohibited.
  • No access permit necessary if vessel remains in continuous transit with fishing gear stowed

The following activities are prohibited in Special-use Research Only Areas:

  • Entry or activity without a Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary permit.
  • Discharging any matter except cooling water or engine exhaust.
  • Fishing by any means; removing, harvesting, or possessing any marine life.
  • Touching or standing on living or dead coral.
  • Anchoring on living or dead coral, or any attached organism.

The following regulations apply in Wildlife Management Areas:

  • Wildlife Management Areas may be designated "idle speed only/no-wake," "no-motor" or "no-access buffer" zones or "closed."
  • "idle speed only/no wake" zone: prohibited from operating a vessel at a speed greater than idle speed only/no wake.
  • "no-motor" zone: prohibited from using internal combustion motors or engines for any purposes. A vessel with an internal combustion motor or engine may access a "no-motor" zone only through the use of a push pole, paddle, sail, electric motor or similar means of propulsion.
  • "no-access buffer" zone: prohibited from entering the area by vessel.
  • "closed" zone: prohibited from entering or using the area.

The following regulations apply in Existing Management Areas:

  • Check with the appropriate federal agency for applicable rules and regulations that apply in these areas.

Activities prohibited in the Key Largo and Looe Key Existing Management Areas:

  • Removing, taking, spearing, or otherwise damaging any coral, marine invertebrate, plant, soil, rock, or other material. However, commercial taking of spiny lobster and stone crab by trap and recreational taking of spiny lobster by hand or hand gear consistent with applicable state and federal fishery regulations are allowed.
  • Spearfishing.
  • Possession of spearfishing equipment, except while passing through without interruption.

Activities prohibited in the Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuge Management Areas:

  • Operating a personal watercraft, operating an airboat, or water skiing.

Sanctuary Preservation Areas, Special-use Areas, and the Western Sambo Ecological Reserve are marked by 30" round yellow buoys. Tortugas Ecological Reserve is not marked. Wildlife Management Areas are marked by white and orange information/regulatory cylindrical spar buoys and signs.

Additional Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Regulations

Tortugas Ecological Reserve Regulations

Monroe County Regulations