Contact: Alyson Simmons FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/25/96
Officials from the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today unveiled the final management plan for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in Key Largo, Fla. The plan sets forth strategies to improve water quality, maintain healthy coral reefs, reduce ship groundings and seagrass scarring, encourage responsible diving and boating, empower local citizens through volunteerism, bring meaningful research to decision makers, and educate residents and visitors about the marine community.
"The Florida Keys support a tourism industry that generates more than $2 billion dollars each year," said Douglas K. Hall, NOAA deputy administrator. "The sanctuary will help preserve the Key's economic and environmental future, and is a critical element in NOAA's commitment to restore south Florida's diverse, yet interconnected ecosystems."
Over the past several years, local citizens contributed countless hours and submitted thousands of public comments to help craft the sanctuary plan. The resulting plan offers a blueprint for balancing long-term environmental protection with the continued commercial and recreational enjoyment of America's coral reef.
"The declining health of the Florida Keys marine environment is no longer a matter of debate," said Sanctuary Superintendent Billy Causey. "Working together with the community, business leaders and environmentalists, we have come up with common sense solutions to reverse this trend and leave a healthier environment for future generations."
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary comprises one of this nation's most biologically diverse environments, surrounded by one of this country's most diverse socioeconomic settings. It is one of 14 marine sanctuaries around the country established to provide community-based, long-term protection of our marine environment. Marine sanctuaries protect nationally significant natural and cultural marine resources through innovative management, research, education and active community participation. NOAA, a Commerce Department agency, administers the National Marine Sanctuary Program.
###Note: Copies of the 3-volume sanctuary plan are available by calling any of the 3 sanctuary offices: Key West (305) 292-0311, Marathon (305) 743-2437, or Key Largo (305) 451-1644.