Restoration Areas

Tree-like structures in the water column and a cluster of coral discs on the seafloor.
These images represent the two types of restoration areas, a nursery location at left, and restored habitat at right. Photos: Jay Clue.

Interactive Map

Coral reef restoration is a priority at Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and these small restoration area zones protect special locations where corals are being raised (nurseries) and outplanted (habitat).

Error processing SSI file

Nursery restoration areas

Nursery restoration areas are very small (individual zones are approximately 70 acres (0.1 square miles) and designed to protect underwater nursery structures and associated corals growing on them with a 600-foot (200-yard) buffer. There are 11 nursery restoration areas within the sanctuary, including:

  • Carysfort Reef Nursery Restoration Area
  • Key Largo Nursery Restoration Area
  • Tavernier Nursery Restoration Area
  • Islamorada Nursery Restoration Area
  • The Elbow Reef Nursery Restoration Area
  • Marathon Nursery Restoration Area
  • Middle Keys Nursery Restoration Area
  • Looe Key East Nursery Restoration Area
  • Looe Key West Nursery Restoration Area
  • Sand Key Nursery Restoration Area

including:

  • Horseshoe Reef Habitat Restoration Area
  • Pickles Reef East Habitat Restoration Area
  • Cheeca Rocks East Habitat Restoration Area
  • Cheeca Rocks South Habitat Restoration Area