Marine Debris
Marine debris is one of the most widespread and persistent forms of pollution affecting the world's ocean and coastal waters. Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys is a community-led program developed in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017 to address the threat of marine debris to ecosystems within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA works in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, local Blue Star-certified operators, and other businesses to identify and remove marine debris throughout the Florida Keys. The Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys program has removed tens of thousands of pounds of submerged marine debris from sanctuary waters and has engaged local and visiting divers in protecting this fragile ecosystem. All Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys cleanups are conducted in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and are permitted through NOAA's Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Partners
This important program was developed from a Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council marine debris working group. Members included NOAA Marine Debris Program, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Artificial Reefs International, CRB Geological & Environmental Services Inc., Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen's Association, Florida Keys Dive Center, Florida Park Service, Florida Sea Grant, History of Diving Museum, Mote Marine Laboratory, National Association of Underwater Instructors, Green Diver Initiative, Project Aware Foundation, Rainbow Reef Dive Center, Florida Bay Outfitters, and Reef Environmental Education Foundation.
Get Involved!
You can play a key role in helping Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary stay healthy and resilient.
For Divers
Participate in a dive or snorkel-based cleanup event. Contact one of these Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys permitted operators to book your cleanup experience.
- Amoray Dive Center
- The Dive Shop at Ocean Reef
- Dive N2 Life
- Finz Dive Center
- Florida Keys Dive Center
- Forever Young Charter Company
- Horizon Divers
- Island Ventures
- Key Dives
- Lost Reef Adventures
- Longtab Charters
- Pirates Cove Watersports
- Quiescence
- Red Hospitality and Leisure at the Bungalows
- Sail Fish Scuba
- Scuba Fun
- Sea Base, Boy Scouts of America
- Silent World Dive Center
For Dive Operators
If your dive shop or organization would like to lead underwater cleanups within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, contact Marlies Tumolo. Permitted Blue Star operators are eligible for funding to support their participation in Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys through the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
For more information and recent statistics from Goal: Clean Seas Florida Keys, visit the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation's page.
Report Marine Debris Sightings
Have you seen marine debris while diving, snorkeling, or boating in the sanctuary? The Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) is a citizen reporting and response system designed to improve the protection and management of Southeast Florida's offshore coral reefs by enhancing marine debris cleanup efforts, increasing response to vessel groundings and anchor damage, and providing early detection of potentially harmful biological disturbances. Report marine debris sightings through the SEAFAN website.
