Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary welcomes Key Colony Beach, Fla. dive operator into Blue Star coral conservation and education program
September 25, 2013
NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary welcomes A Deep Blue Dive of Key Colony Beach, Fla. as the newest participant in the Sanctuary’s Blue Star education and conservation program.
Launched in 2009, Blue Star salutes charter companies that help protect the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem by promoting responsible snorkeling and diving practices, and educating their patrons on the role humans play in reef health. Unlike some of the more global causes of reef decline — such as climate change — damage to reefs from snorkeling and diving is considered easily preventable through education and experience.
Sanctuary Education Specialist LTjg Carmen (Mica) Alex presents the Blue Star boat decal to the staff of A Deep Blue Dive, the newest charter to be welcomed into the Sanctuary's stewardship program.
“Dive and snorkel operators have the opportunity to inspire stewardship among the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Keys’ reefs each year,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “Through the Blue Star program, we’re able to recognize those that go above and beyond in reef education and conservation.”
Home to the third-largest living barrier coral reef in the world, the sanctuary’s protected waters contribute an estimated $2 billion in annual tourist revenue. The reef's close proximity to land and an abundance of boat operators in the Keys make it easily accessible to both novice snorkelers and seasoned divers.
Blue Star operators are required to attend training annually on issues affecting coral reefs, sanctuary regulations and coral reef etiquette. In turn, Blue Star operators educate their customers by incorporating the information into certification classes and dive briefings. They also must offer conservation-related dive courses and participate in activities such as fish counts and reef clean-ups. Operators are re-evaluated every year.
Blue Star is funded in part by a grant from Mote Marine Laboratory's “Protect Our Reef” Grants Program. Visit www.sanctuarybluestar.org for more information on the program and a list of recognized operators.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats, as well as shipwrecks and maritime heritage resources. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us at http://floridakeys.noaa.gov, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Join NOAA on Facebook , Twitter and our other social media channels.
