Marine Zoning and Regulatory Review Goals and Objectives

Marine Zoning &
Regulatory Review

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council developed two primary goals and several objectives for the marine zoning and regulatory review.

A.  To improve the diversity of natural biological communities in the Florida Keys to protect, and, where appropriate restore and enhance natural habitats, populations and ecological processes overall and in each of these sub regions Tortugas; Marquesas; Lower, Middle, and Upper Keys.

1. Reduce stresses from human activities by establishing areas that restrict access to sensitive wildlife populations and habitats.

2. Protect large, contiguous, diverse, and interconnected habitats that provide natural spawning, nursery, and permanent residence areas for the replenishment and genetic protection of marine life and protect and preserve all habitats and species.

3. Improve/maintain the condition of the biologically structured habitats including:

a. Coral Reef

i. Inshore Patch Reef
ii. Mid-Channel Patch Reef
iii. Offshore Patch Reef
iv. Reef Margin / Fore Reef
v. Deep Reef

b. Seagrass Bed

c. Hardbottom

d. Coastal Mangrove

4. Increase abundance and condition of selected key species including corals, queen conch, long spined sea urchin, apex predatory fish, birds, and sea turtles.

B.  To facilitate to the extent compatible with the primary objective of resource protection, all public and private uses of the resources of these marine areas not prohibited pursuant to other authorities.

1. Minimize conflicts among uses compatible with the national marine sanctuary.

2. Prevent heavy concentrations of uses that degrade sanctuary resources.

3. Provide undisturbed monitoring sites for research and control sites to help determine the effects of human activities.

4. Achieve a vibrant ecologically sustainable ecosystem and economy.

a. Apply the best available science and balanced, conservation-based management.

Printable version of the “Goals and Objectives for Marine Zoning Review,” as adopted by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.