Map showing depth contours.
Marine Zoning &
Regulatory Review

 

Ecosystem Protection: Ecological Reserves, Preservation Areas and Wildlife Protection Working Group

Coral reef photo by Dr. Jiangang Luo.

The sanctuary uses a strategy of marine zoning to protect and preserve sensitive parts of the marine ecosystem, while allowing activities compatible with resource protection. The Sanctuary’s Condition Report and scoping comments identified a significant need to review current marine zones and decide what changes must be undertaken to meet the goals and objectives identified by the Advisory Council. While certain zones were established to allow areas of high ecological importance to evolve with minimal human influence, and others were set aside to reduce user conflict, additional areas may need to be considered to ensure long term protection of the natural resources.

 

Advisory Council Lead - Chris Bergh



 

Objectives

  • Review and evaluate existing reserves designated for protection of coral reef ecosystems.

  • Review current exceptions to regulations in Sanctuary Preservation Areas and Ecological Reserves.

  • Review and evaluate Sanctuary Preservation Areas reduction of conflicting uses.

  • Recommend new or modified ecological reserves to ensure protection of a diversity of resources:
    • Spawning aggregations
    • Full suite of marine flora  and fauna (i.e., seabird, marine mammal, turtles, seagrass, soft corals, hard corals)

  • Consider temporal zoning to address seasonal impacts associated with intense uses or seasonal ecological activities (i.e., nesting, breeding, spawning).

  • Ensure the FKNMS zoning scheme promotes sustainable use of the sanctuary resources and protects areas that represent diverse habitats as well as areas important for maintaining natural resources and ecosystem functions.

Members

Advisory Council Lead - Chris Bergh

Advisory Council Representatives: 
Chris Bergh, SAC; Working Group Chair; Conservation and Environment
Ben Daughtry, SAC; Commercial Fishing – Marine/Tropical
Ted Lund, SAC; Charter Fishing Flats Guide
Suzy Roebling, SAC; Citizen at Large – Upper Keys
Joe Weatherby, SAC; Tourism

Community Experts:
Maria Brandvold, Recreational Fisherman
Tad Burke, Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association
Mark Chiappone, NOVA Southeastern University
Don DeMaria, Sea Sampler
Tim Grollimund, SCUBA Diving Columnist/Underwater Photographer
Manny Herrera, Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association Member
Ernie Piton, Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association Member
Dave Vandenbosch, Captain Hooks Dive Center and Marina – Middle Keys
Scott Saunders, Fury Water Adventures
Mimi Stafford, Reef Relief 

Staff Lead: Scott Donahue

Meeting Schedule

  • March 14
    Marathon Garden Club
    5270 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050
    Draft Agenda (pdf, 24 kb)

  • April 4
    Marathon Garden Club
    5270 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050
    Draft Agenda (pdf, 24 kb)

  • May 2
    Marathon Garden Club
    5270 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050
    Draft Agenda (pdf, 28 kb)

  • May 23
    Marathon Garden Club
    5270 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050
    Draft Agenda (pdf, 30 kb)

  • June 13
    Marathon Garden Club
    5270 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

  • July 11
    Marathon Garden Club
    5270 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

  • July 29
    Marathon Garden Club
    5270 Overseas Highway
    Marathon, FL 33050

Meeting Notes

Resources

Links to additional working group resources will be added as available.