Research and Education Permits

A diver reeling out a transect tape in the water column
At any one time, hundreds of research projects are taking place inside the boundaries of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo: EPA

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary may issue permits for research, restoration, and educational activities that would otherwise not be allowed by sanctuary regulations. Requests for permits are considered when the proposed activities will further research or monitoring related to sanctuary resources and qualities, will further the management of the sanctuary by restoring resources, or will further the educational value of the sanctuary, and meet application requirements. Permit applications for research, restoration, and education activities are reviewed based on the priority needs of sanctuary managers to inform resource protection.

Below is a list of common research, restoration, and educational activities that would require a sanctuary permit. This is not a complete list. If the activity you are proposing is not listed below, a permit may still be required from Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary or other agencies with authority over the activity. It is highly recommended to contact sanctuary permitting staff to evaluate any proposed activity.

  • Placing temporary measuring devices, markers, or any other equipment on the seabed (e.g., transects, quadrats, marker stakes, settlement tiles)
  • Placing semi-permanent moored devices on the seabed
  • Collecting sediment or rubble
  • Collecting, touching, or otherwise disturbing corals
  • Conducting restoration or research on restoration practices aimed at corals and/or associated organisms
  • Discharging any matter or equipment (e.g., dyes, autonomous underwater vehicles, expendable bathythermographs)
  • Collecting organisms from no-take zones or existing management areas
  • Operating vessels in areas where they are prohibited (e.g., operating ships 50m or greater in the area to be avoided, operating motorized vessels in a no motor zone)

Permit applications proposing activities that involve stony corals are additionally reviewed per the Guidance on Permit Applications for Activities that Impact Florida Stony Corals.

Permit applications for restoration projects with corals or other organisms, or for research aimed at improving restoration practices, are additionally reviewed per the Restoration Guidelines for Coral Reefs and Associated Habitats in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Other agency permits may be required for restoration activities; applicants should review the Authorization Guidance for Coral Restoration Activities on Florida's Coral Reef.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate sanctuary staff well in advance of submitting a formal application to discuss their project and ask any questions. There is no guarantee a permit application will be processed by the requested effective date.

Apply for a Research, Restoration, or Education Permit

Permit applications and instructions may be downloaded from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries permits page.

Completed applications should be submitted to Dr. Harrison Albert, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Permit Coordinator.