Report a Violation

Officers on board a law enforcement vessel
NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement on patrol in Keys waters. Scott Atwell/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
  • Report sanctuary violations, including marine mammal harassment, to NOAA OLE hotline at 1-800-853-1964.
  • Submit an online report

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.

Groundings and Derelict Vessels

Report grounded vessels and/or derelict vessels: Florida Fish and Wildlife at 1-888-404-3922 or *FWC on a mobile phone

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:

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 about 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.

Coral Nursery Stock

A rope in shallow water with coral fragments attached to branch-like structures.
A rope in shallow water with coral fragments attached to branch-like structures. Photo: Jay Clue

Restoration practitioners grow corals in the water column on rope trees that are connected to the seafloor. Sometimes, these rope trees break loose and currents carry them away. If you encounter one of these rope trees outside a designated nursery area, please email: Harrison.Albert@noaa.gov so that this important genetic stock can be reunited with the restoration organization working to restore our coral reefs.

Coral Bleaching - How You Can Help

Divers and snorkelers are encouraged to report sightings of bleached corals, paying special attention to latitude, longitude, and depth of the water where the observation took place. For questions, you may also contact the SEAFAN hotline at 866-770-SEFL (7335). In addition, community divers and snorkelers can also report any unusual sightings, including marine debris; vessel groundings and anchor damage; invasive species; harmful algal blooms; fish disease and fish kills; and discolored water.

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.