Report a Violation

Three law enforcement boats on the water. — Enforcement of sanctuary regulations is achieved through inter-agency cooperation. Photo: NOAA

In addition to law enforcement patrolling, resource users of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary are our eyes on the water. You can help protect important marine resources by reporting violations to officials.

Report violations of sanctuary regulations and other fish, wildlife, boating and environmental laws with any of the following methods:

Report Sanctuary Violations

Call 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922)
Text 847411 (Tip411) with keyword "FWC" and information about the violation
Dial *FWC or #FWC
Download "FWC Wildlife Alert" app from Google Play or Apple Store
Submit an online report

Report harassment of marine mammals (dolphins, whales, manatees, etc) to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement at 1-800-853-1964.

Report other Florida environmental crimes by calling Florida DEP's 24-hour State Warning Point hotline: 1-800-320-0519

Environmental Hazards

Oil, fuel or hazardous material spills: Call the 24-hour National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

Suspected algal blooms or discolored water: Call Florida Department of Environmental Protection at 855-305-3903 or report online.

Fish kills: Call Florida Fish and Wildlife on 1-800-636-0511, FWC Reporter app, or submit an online report. Learn more about Fish Kills.

Check Red Tide status information: View status of red tide events online, or call for red tide status from within Florida 1-866-300-9399.

Missing, Damaged, or Found Waterway Markers

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary markers: call 305-809-4700

FWC waterway markers in state waters: call 1-866-405-BUOY (1-866-405-2869)

All other waterway markers: report online to USCG Navigation Center.

Coral Bleaching - How You Can Help

Recreational, commercial, and scientific divers throughout Florida are encouraged to become part of the BleachWatch Observer Network by participating in a training session. For more information, please contact taylor.tucker@floridadep.gov.

Recreational and professional divers and snorkelers in the Keys can get involved with BleachWatch in the Florida Keys. To access online training or to submit an online report, visit Mote.org/bleachwatch.

Injured or Nuisance Wildlife

Alligators: (Nuisance) Call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (1-866-392-4286). Learn more about Nuisance Alligators.

Bird Die Offs: Report wild bird die offs on FWC's website.

Birds:(Sick or Injured) Call one of the following:

Key West Wildlife Center at 305-292-1008
Marathon Wild Bird Center at 305-743-8382
Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center at 305-852-4486

Dolphins: (Sick, Entangled, or Dead) Call 1-877-942-5343 or use the Dolphin and Whale 911 app.

Exotic/Invasive Fish: Report catch or sightings of exotic and potentially invasive marine fish, with photos and GPS points, if possible, to FWC.

Fish Kills: Call FWC on 1-800-636-0511, FWC Reporter app, or submit an online report. Learn more abou Fish Kills.

Manatees: (Sick, Injured, Entangled, or Dead) Call FWC Wildlife Alert Program at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922). From a cell phone, you can dial *FWC or #FWC. Learn more.

Pythons or Constrictors: (Invasive) Call FWC's Exotic Species Hotline at 1-888-IVE-GOT1 (1-888-483-4681).

Sea Turtles: (Sick, Injured, Entangled, or Dead) Call Marathon Sea Turtle Hospital at 305-743-2552 or the FWC Wildlife Alert Program at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).

Whales: (Stranded, Injured, Entangled, or Dead) Call 1-877-942-5343 or use the Dolphin and Whale 911 app.

Other Injured or Orphaned Wildlife: Find local wildlife rehabilitators around the state of Florida, by county, with this FWC list.

Species Observations

Be a community scientist! Remember, photographs and GPS points are extremely valuable for helping scientists verify sightings.

Exotic/Invasive Fish: Report catch or sightings of exotic and potentially invasive marine fish, with photos and GPS points, if possible, to FWC.

Tagged Fish: Call FWC's Angler Tag Return hotline on 1-800-367-4661 or email tagreturn@MyFWC.com.

Horseshoe Crab: (Nesting Activity) Call 1-866-252-9326 or submit a horseshoe crab spawning beach survey.

Right Whale Sightings: Keep a distance of 1,500 feet (500 yards) or more from the right whale, record GPS position, slow vessel, and call 1-866-755-6622.

Smalltooth Sawfish: Release if caught and report catch or sightings on FWC's website.