Southpoint Divers is Paving the Path from Fun Diver to Community Scientist 

Written by: Cortney Benson, Marine Debris Removal Stewardship Coordinator at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Photo credit: Southpoint Divers

Key West is a world-renowned SCUBA diving destination, home to stunning coral reefs and adventure filled shipwreck diving. However, the coral reefs of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary are struggling to keep up with the increasing environmental pressures of climate change. In just the last five years, the local conservation community witnessed the reef habitats suffer through Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, Hurricane Irma and other large storms and most recently in the Summer of 2023, a mass coral bleaching event.  

Photo credit: Southpoint Divers

The emotional reactions of Florida Keys community members to these devastating events cannot be put into words. This community is starkly aware of their reliance on the health of these reefs, and moreover is desperately in love with their existence and ready to go above and beyond to protect them. The Florida Keys are filled with environmental heroes who are thinking up innovative ways to protect these beloved reefs. One way this is being achieved is through the implementation of community science. In a world plagued by apathy, community science cultivates and fuels passion for conservation in those who might not otherwise have known that they can be a part of the solution. 

Photo credit: Southpoint Divers

One place where visitors and locals alike can experience an astounding passion for conservation and participate in active community science is at Southpoint Divers in Key West, Florida. Southpoint Divers has made big strides into the world of conservation, and they are taking their recreational divers along with them every step of the way! In a first step on the conservation path, Southpoint created the position of Conservation Coordinator. Kim Platt eagerly jumped at the opportunity and is actively working to create a better future for our reefs by developing an army of environmental stewards through community science and regenerative tourism. Kim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Resource Management from the College of the Florida Keys, while volunteering as a scientific diver. She now guides a dedicated team of Dive Instructors, Dive Masters and Captains in a community science and regenerative tourism direction as Southpoint Divers’ first ever Conservation Coordinator.  

Photo credit: Southpoint Divers

Southpoint Divers did not stop there. They recently became a Blue Star Dive Operator – a voluntary recognition program established by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to reduce the impact of divers, snorkelers, and anglers on the ecosystems of the Florida Keys. In addition, they are participants in Goal: Clean Seas offering marine debris removal dives to recreational divers and have partnered with the Coral Restoration Foundation to offer dives caring for a coral nursery and outplanting nursery-reared corals back out onto the reef.  

If you want to participate in some of these community science and regenerative tourism opportunities with Southpoint Divers and meet Kim and the rest of the friendly and passionate team in person, give them a call at (305) 292-9778. You can also join Southpoint for FREE Goal: Clean Seas dives during the 2nd annual I.CARE Trash Derby on May 3rd-5th, sponsored by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Sign up soon as spaces are limited!