Welcome to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, part of a nationwide system of sanctuaries
and monuments managed by NOAA. We hope you enjoy your day on and in the water.
But before you dive in, we’d like to share a few things about the amazing environment
you’re about to experience, and how you can help protect it now, and for the future.
As soon as you enter the waters of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, you’re in
another world. It’s home to North America’s only barrier
coral reef, over 6,000 species of marine life, some of the world’s largest seagrass meadows,
and thousands of mangrove islands. The Keys have a rich and storied maritime history,
much of it linked to the many shipwrecks discovered here, some with artifacts of early explorers
and pirates. Managed by NOAA and the State of Florida,
we need your help to protect the natural and cultural treasures of this special place!
Coral reefs are important to the entire planet. They’re home to 25 percent of the world’s
fish species. The beautiful fish you see while diving and
snorkeling, and the fish you eat at local restaurants, are here thanks to the
coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. Though coral reefs may look like rocks or
plants, each coral is actually a colony of thousands of tiny, identical polyps related
to jellyfish. These soft-bodied animals build hard limestone
skeletons, and over thousands of years, countless coral colonies have built the reef you see
today. The coral animals, which live only on the
colony surface, are extremely fragile. Their thin outer tissue, and the mucus layer that
protects it, can be harmed by the slightest touch, so grabbing, bumping, or kicking the
corals could injure or even kill them. You can protect corals by keeping extra distance
between you and the reef. How you snorkel and dive can make a big difference.
Let’s talk about how!
If snorkeling, use a flotation vest. It’ll make you more comfortable in the water and
reduce the chance of accidentally bumping coral.
To adjust your mask or other gear, roll onto your back or move to deeper water.
If you feel you need to stand to adjust your gear or catch your breath, return to the boat.
Surge or boat wakes can easily push you on to the reef. Remember to keep a safe distance
from the reef and avoid shallow areas. Swim horizontally to keep your fins away from
the reef. A stray fin kick can easily injure or even break off pieces of delicate branching
corals. And avoid stirring up sand with your fins.
Secure your gauges and hoses before you jump in, and check them during the dive. Don’t
let them hang below you, where they can drag or snag on the bottom.
Do a buoyancy check once you jump into the water. Divers do most damage to reefs at the
beginning of their dive. So a great way to protect the reef is to take
some time to get comfortable before you explore.
Avoid wearing gloves on reef dives; they actually make you more likely to touch or grab the
reef. Another reason to steer clear of touching corals is that their sharp skeleton can cut
you. Some, like fire corals, also have stinging cells and pack a painful punch. Keep
your distance. Please help corals, fish, and other wildlife stay
wild. At a reasonable distance, you’ll be more likely to see natural behaviors like
feeding, cleaning, hunting, and courtship. Close encounters can stress the animals and
also put you in harm’s way. Keep your hands and food to yourself. Animals
fed in the wild lose their fear of people, act more aggressively, and become dependent
on handouts, many of which are unhealthy for the fish.
On the boat and in the water, secure your personal gear and trash. Seabirds and marine
mammals can easily become entangled in marine debris, or eat it and become sick or die.
A floating plastic bag looks a lot like a jellyfish lunch to a sea turtle.
Take only pictures, and leave only bubbles. Marine life, shells, and corals serve a purpose
exactly where they are. That fuzzy-looking shell in the sand might be covered in tiny
baby corals ready to build the next coral reef, or it might make a nice new home for
a hermit crab. Speaking of pictures, be aware of your body and gear while photographing
marine life. That perfect shot is never worth damaging the reef.
In addition to its coral reef, the Florida Keys are home to hundreds of shipwrecks that
are windows into the area’s rich maritime history. Cultural resources are protected
and should not be disturbed or removed. After you leave Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary, you can still help protect coral reefs and our environment. Whether home is
near or far from the ocean, your choices and actions have lasting impacts.
Thank you for visiting Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
We hope you make lasting memories while you’re here and share with others what you’ve learned
about this special place. The coral reef, and all its marine life, will thank you for it.
It is our collective responsibility to conserve the marine environment and to maintain the
biodiversity of this planet. I'm Guy Harvey.