Tennessee Reef Research Only Area

Tennessee Reef Research Only Area, located 4.6 miles south of Long Key, is closed to entry and identified by yellow buoys clearly marked with "Research Only." Tennessee Reef is a coral reef habitat containing a deep spur-and-groove system. It contains unique deepwater, slow-growth corals and sponges.

By limiting this and other sites to research only, scientists will be able to differentiate impacts caused by resource use and those caused by changing environmental conditions.

Special regulations apply here. Learn more about what activities are allowed in this type of zone.

A summary of all sanctuary regulations is available online. For the full text of sanctuary regulations, see 15 CFR 922 Subpart P.