Solutions to manage Florida Keys NMS require continued collaboration outlined in Blueprint.
Silver Spring, Md. – December 13, 2024 – The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation congratulates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the State of Florida, and other management partners on the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Florida Keys Restoration Blueprint, an update to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary management plan and regulations that will increase the resiliency of coastal communities.
Joel R. Johnson, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, said, “We congratulate NOAA and the State of Florida on creating a path toward a more resilient and prosperous community in the Keys with this Restoration Blueprint, and we encourage those parties to continue working toward the best possible balance of recreation use and conservation outcomes. Action is needed now, and the Restoration Blueprint will recommend a number of pragmatic solutions built over more than a decade of research, public engagement, and collaboration with local leaders, state agencies, and federal partners.
“The threats to the sanctuary’s habitats and the species that call them home are growing, including rising ocean temperatures, declining water quality, pollution, coral diseases, rapid degradation and decline of essential seagrass meadows, and hurricanes. In just the past two years, we have seen a marine heat wave with water temperatures in the Keys averaging ~89.5°F (~32°C), with reports of spikes as high as ~91.5 °F (33°C), and two consecutive global coral bleaching events.
“World-class fishing, boating, diving, RV’ing and other outdoor recreational activities draw visitors to the sanctuary. They fuel the local economy, so long as the marine resources bringing people to the Keys don’t further degrade. As a global destination, economic activity generated in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is responsible for contributing $4.4 billion and 43,000 jobs across the state of Florida. Sustainable tourism demands a proactive approach to managing sanctuary resources. A healthy sanctuary means healthy communities in the Florida Keys.
“Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is also a center for the latest innovation in coral restoration and monitoring. This week, coral restoration experts from around the world are gathering at Reef Futures to share the latest solutions to conserve these hotspots of biodiversity that serve as the backbone of productive economies and healthy, resilient communities. The Florida Keys Reef Tract is the only living coral barrier reef in North America and is the 3rd largest coral barrier reef in the world. It is vital to restore and preserve these reefs that protect our communities and critical infrastructure against storms and damaging waves.
“For 25 years, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation has made a positive impact in the Florida Keys on sustainable and regenerative tourism by working with dive operators and businesses on marine debris removal; we work with Mission: Iconic Reefs on large-scale coral restoration, and have provided emergency relief funding for reefs in the wake of extreme heat events.
“We are proud of the collaborative, robust process that brought forth this Blueprint. That same collective action and partnership will be crucial to maintain throughout implementation. We urge the partners to continue to work together to implement the Blueprint so Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the people who rely on it can thrive.”
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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports America’s national marine sanctuaries through our mission to protect species, conserve ecosystems and preserve cultural and maritime heritage. We accomplish our mission through community stewardship and engagement programs, on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. The Foundation fosters innovative projects that are solution-oriented, scalable and transferable, and develop strategic partnerships that promote the conservation and recovery of species and their habitats. Learn more at marinesanctuary.org.
Contact: Chip Weiskotten
Director of Strategic Communications
301-754-6134
chip@marinesanctuary.org