Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys

 

clean seas logo

What is Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys?

Marine debris is one of the most widespread and persistent forms of pollution affecting the world's ocean and coastal waters. Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys is a community-led program developed in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017 to address the threat of marine debris to ecosystems within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation are working with local tour operators and other businesses to identify and remove marine debris throughout the Florida Keys.

In its first year, the Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys initiative removed more than 67,000 pounds of marine debris from sanctuary waters.

Many organizations and individuals have supported these marine debris removal efforts. Thanks to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council marine debris working group members, NOAA Marine Debris Program, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Artificial Reefs International, CRB Geological & Environmental Services Inc., Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, Florida Keys Dive Center, Florida Park Service, Florida Sea Grant, History of Diving Museum, Mote Marine Lab, National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), Green Diver Initiative, Project Aware Foundation, Rainbow Reef Dive Center, Florida Bay Outfitters and Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). Thank you Monroe County Solid Waste Management for supporting marine debris disposal.

Get Involved!

You can play a key role in helping Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary stay healthy and resilient.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer, please sign up for volunteer program updates by visiting this link, or visit one of our offices:

Key West Office
Nancy Foster Environmental Complex
33 East Quay Road
Key West, FL 33040
305-809-4700
FAX: 305-293-5011
Key Largo Office
95230 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037
305-852-7717
FAX: 305-853-0877

Diver brings up trap line collected during a post-Hurricane Irma cleanup in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Volunteers participate in a kayak cleanup to remove marine debris from mangrove shoreline in the sanctuary. Credit: Jessica Hogan

Participate in a cleanup dive. Contact one of these Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys permitted dive shops or organizations to book a dive.

scuba diver holding marine debris

A diver participates in an underwater marine debris cleanup as a part of Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys. Credit: Aquashotsphotography.com

Report Marine Debris Sightings. Go to www.mote.org/cocean and click on "Report an Observation" or contact Cory Walter, Project Coordinator, (305) 395-8730 (call or text), cwalter@mote.org.

card with list of marine debris items to report to mote

If your dive shop or organization would like to lead underwater cleanups within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, contact Marlies.Tumolo@noaa.gov, 305-434-9385.

Blue Star Diving operators are eligible to apply for financial assistance from The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to participate in Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys.

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