Photo of people kayaking in mangrove channel.

Sanctuary Marine Zones

Just as areas of land may be set aside for specific uses, so too can parts of the ocean. Marine zones can help protect sensitive natural resources from overuse, separate conflicting uses, and preserve the diversity of marine life in an area. Zones are an important tool for managing marine resources and have been used around the world.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary established the nation’s first comprehensive network of marine zones in 1997 after years of planning, design, and public input. The sanctuary’s zones are designed to protect and preserve sensitive parts of the ecosystem while allowing activities that are compatible with resource protection.

To learn more about the background of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, visit the links below.