Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Regulations

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is meant to be enjoyed by divers, swimmers, snorkelers, boaters, and fishermen; however, rules and regulations are in place to make sure that these activities happen in ways — and at places — that are not harmful to sanctuary resources.

The sanctuary uses a strategy called "marine zoning" to protect special habitat types such as corals, to avoid conflict by user groups such as divers and anglers, and to balance commercial and recreational interests with the need for a healthy and sustainable ecosystem.

The summary of regulations that follows is a general reference to sanctuary regulations, separated by those that apply throughout the sanctuary and those that apply to specific sanctuary zones. The full text of the sanctuary regulations can be found at 15 CFR 922 Subpart P and should be referred to for more specific information. A copy of the regulations can also be obtained by calling any sanctuary office.

If you see something, say something. Learn  how to report a regulatory violation.

Sanctuary-Wide Regulations

Regulations that apply throughout the entire area of the sanctuary, both in highly protected areas and general-use areas, have a focus on habitat protection, reducing threats to water quality, and minimizing human impact to delicate resources.

Note that the text below is intended as summary only; for the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.

With certain exceptions, the following activities are prohibited sanctuary-wide:

• Mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, development and production
• Removing, injuring, or possessing coral or live rock (substrate with living organisms attached)
• Dredging, drilling, prop dredging, or otherwise altering the seabed, or placing or abandoning any structure on the seabed
• Discharging or depositing treated or untreated sewage from marine sanitation devices, trash, and other materials
• Operating a vessel in such a manner as to strike or otherwise injure coral, seagrass, or other immobile organisms attached to the seabed, or cause prop scarring
• Having a vessel anchored on living coral
• Except in officially marked channels, operating a vessel at more than 4.6 miles per hour (4 knots)/no wake within 300 feet (100 yards) of residential shorelines, stationary vessels, or navigational aids marking reefs
• Operating a vessel at more than idle speed/no wake within 300 feet (100 yards) of a "divers down" flag
• Operating a vessel in such a manner as to injure wading, roosting, or nesting birds, or marine mammals
• Operating a vessel in such a manner which endangers life, limb, marine resources, or property
• Having a marine sanitation device that is not secured in a manner that prevents discharges
• Anchoring, mooring, or occupying a vessel at risk of becoming derelict, or deserting a vessel aground, at anchor, moored, or adrift
• Leaving harmful matter aboard a grounded or deserted vessel
• Tying a large vessel to a mooring buoy not specifically designated for large vessels,or tying a vessel other than a large vessel to a mooring buoy specifically designated for large vessels (this prohibition will not take effect until)
• Diving or snorkeling without a dive flag
• Releasing exotic species
• Damaging or removing markers, mooring buoys, scientific equipment, boundary buoys, and trap buoys
• Moving, removing, injuring, or possessing historical resources
• Taking or possessing protected wildlife
• Using or possessing explosives or electrical charges
• Harvesting, possessing or landing any marine life species except as allowed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Rule (68B-42 F.A.C.)
• Interfering with law enforcement
• Attracting or feeding fish, including sharks, or other marine species from any vessel and/or while diving

Additionally, there are other existing state and federal laws regarding fishing and vessel discharges that apply in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Contact the appropriate agencies or organizations directly for more information on these laws.

State fisheries regulations are available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Federal fisheries regulations are available from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, or the National Marine Fisheries Service - Southeast Region.

Zone-Specific Regulations

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary established the nation's first comprehensive network of marine zones in 1997 after years of planning, design, and public input. The marine zoning plan for the Sanctuary includes five types of zones with varying levels of protection: conservation areas, sanctuary preservation areas, restoration areas, wildlife management areas and management areas.

Marine zoning is designed to protect and preserve sensitive parts of the ecosystem while allowing activities that are compatible with resource protection.

Note that the text below is intended as summary only; for the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.

The following activities are prohibited in the habitat conservation areas and sanctuary preservation areas:

• Discharging any matter except cooling water from vessels
• Fishing by any means
• Moving, harvesting, removing, collecting, damaging, disturbing, breaking, cutting, spearing, otherwise injuring, or possessing, in or from the area, any coral, marine invertebrate, fish, bottom formation, algae, seagrass, or other living or dead organism, including shells, or attempting any of these activities
• Touching or standing on living or dead coral
• Anchoring (this prohibition will not take effect until 2027)

The following activities are prohibited in the nursery restoration areas:

• Discharging any matter except cooling water from vessels
• Fishing by any means
• Touching or standing on living or dead coral
• Anchoring (this prohibition will not take effect until 2027)
• Failing to maintain continuous transit without interruption through the area (except in the Western Sambo Conservation Area)

The following activities are prohibited in conservation areas (exceptions noted):

• Discharging any matter except cooling water from vessels
• Fishing by any means
• Moving, harvesting, removing, collecting, damaging, disturbing, breaking, cutting, spearing, otherwise injuring, or possessing, in or from the area, any coral, marine invertebrate, fish, bottom formation, algae, seagrass, or other living or dead organism, including shells, or attempting any of these activities. Fishing by any means; removing, harvesting, or possessing any marine life. Catch and release fishing by trolling is allowed in Conch Reef, Alligator Reef, Sombrero Reef, and Sand Key SPAs only.
• Touching or standing on living or dead cora
• Anchoring (except in certain areas within the Western Sambo Conservation Area)
• Failing to maintain continuous transit without interruption through the area (except in the Western Sambo Conservation Area)

The following regulations apply in wildlife management areas:

• Wildlife management areas may be designated "idle speed no-wake," "no motor," “no anchor by vessels under 164 feet (50 meters),” or "no-entry”.
• "idle speed/no wake" zone: prohibited from operating a vessel at a speed greater than idle speed only/no wake.
• "no motor" zone: prohibited from using internal combustion motors or engines for any purposes. A vessel with an internal combustion motor or engine may access a "no motor" zone only through the use of a push pole, paddle, sail, electric motor or similar means of propulsion.
• "no-entry" zone: prohibited from entering or using the area.

The following regulations apply in management areas:

Activities prohibited in the Key Largo and Looe Key existing management areas:

• Removing, collecting, damaging, harming, breaking, cutting, spearing, or similarly injuring, or possessing, in or from the management area, any coral or other marine invertebrate, or any plant, soil, rock, or other material. However, commercial harvesting of spiny lobster and stone crab by trap and recreational harvesting of spiny lobster by hand or by hand gear is allowed if consistent with applicable state and federal fishery regulations
• Collecting or harvesting tropical fish
• Fishing with wire fish traps, bottom trawls, dredges, fish sleds, or similar vessel-towed or anchored bottom fishing gear or nets
• Spearfishing.
• Possession of spearfishing equipment, except while passing through without interruption

Activities prohibited in the Great White Heron and Key West National Wildlife Refuge Management Areas:

• Operating a personal watercraft, operating an airboat, water skiing, and landing recreational aircraft

The following regulations apply within the areas to be avoided:

• Operating a tank vessel
• Operating a vessel greater than 164 feet (50 meters)
• Towing vessel(s), equipment, or materials such that the combined length of the tow vessel and all towed vessels, equipment, or materials is greater than 164 feet (50 meters)

Sanctuary preservation areas and conservation areas are marked by 30-inch round yellow buoys. Tortugas North and South conservation areas are not marked. Wildlife management areas are marked by white and orange information/regulatory cylindrical spar buoys and signs.

The National Marine Sanctuaries Act

The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to designate and protect areas of the marine environment with special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational or esthetic qualities as national marine sanctuaries.

Day-to-day management of national marine sanctuaries has been delegated by the Secretary of Commerce to NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. The primary objective of the NMSA is to protect marine resources, such as coral reefs, sunken historical vessels or unique habitats.