Marine Zones within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Click on the zone name for additional information, including a zone map and a map showing buoy locations (if applicable).
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Ecological Reserves
+Ecological Reserves are the largest of the sanctuary zones and are able to protect an entire range of marine habitats found in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Ecological Reserves within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary include:
Western Sambo Ecological Reserve
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Exisiting Management Areas
+Existing Management Areas are areas within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary that were established by NOAA or another federal agency prior to 1997 when sanctuary zoning regulations went into effect. Exisiting Management Areas within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary include:
Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge
Key Largo Existing Management Area
Key West National Wildlife Refuge
Looe Key Existing Management Area
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Sanctuary Preservation Areas
+Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protect shallow reefs along the reef tract. SPAs encompass discrete, biologically important areas that help sustain critical marine species and habitats. SPAs within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary include:
Alligator Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area
Carysfort Sanctuary Preservation Area
Cheeca Rocks Sanctuary Preservation Area
Coffins Patch Sanctuary Preservation Area
Conch Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area
Davis Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area
Eastern Dry Rocks Sanctuary Preservation Area
The Elbow Sanctuary Preservation Area
French Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area
Grecian Rocks Sanctuary Preservation Area
Hen and Chickens Sanctuary Preservation Area
Key Largo Dry Rocks Sanctuary Preservation Area
Looe Key Sanctuary Preservation Area
Molasses Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area
Newfound Harbor Key Sanctuary Preservation Area
Sand Key Sanctuary Preservation Area
Rock Key Sanctuary Preservation Area
Sombrero Key Sanctuary Preservation Area
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Special-use Areas
+Special-use Areas are used to set aside areas for scientific research and educational purposes, restoration, monitoring, or to establish areas that confine or restrict activities. Special-use Areas within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary include:
Eastern Sambo Research Only Area
Tennesse Reef Research Only Area
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Wildlife Management Areas
+Wildlife Management Areas are intended to minimize disturbance to sensitive or endangered wildlife and their habitats, such as bird nesting, resting or feeding areas, and turtle nesting beaches. Wildlife Management Areas within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary include:
Bay Keys Wildlife Management Area
Boca Grande Key Wildlife Management Area
Big Mullet Key Wildlife Management Area
Caya Agua Keys Wildlife Management Area
Cotton Key Wildlife Management Area
Cottrell Key Wildlife Management Area
Crocodile Lake Wildlife Management Area
Dove Key Wildlife Management Area
East Content Keys Wildlife Management Area
East Harbor Key Wildlife Management Area
Eastern Lake Surprise Wildlife Management Area
Horseshoe Key Wildlife Management Area
Little Crane Key Wildlife Management Area
Little Mullet Key Wildlife Management Area
Lower Harbor Keys Wildlife Management Area
Marquesas Keys Wildlife Management Area
Mud Keys Wildlife Management Area
Pelican Shoal Wildlife Management Area
Rodriguez Key Wildlife Management Area
Sawyer Keys Wildlife Management Area
Snake Creek Wildlife Management Area
Snipe Keys Wildlife Management Area
Tidal Flat South of Marvin Key
Tavernier Key Wildlife Management Area
Upper Harbor Key Wildlife Management Area
West Content Keys Wildlife Management Area
Woman Key Wildlife Management Area
