Wildlife Management Areas

Brown pelicans roost in a mangrove
Wildlife management areas have been established to protect wildlife from activities that threaten their safety. Photo: Kristie Killam/USFWS

Interactive Map

Wildlife management areas (WMAs) are intended to minimize disturbance to sensitive or endangered wildlife and their habitats, such as bird nesting, resting or feeding areas, and turtle nesting beaches. Regulations governing WMAs are designed to provide opportunities for public use while protecting wildlife. These areas often include no-motor zones, idle speed/no wake zones, and no entry zones.

There are currently 44 WMAs in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Many of these areas are co-managed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of their plan for managing backcountry portions of the national wildlife refuges in the Florida Keys.

Public-access restrictions in WMAs include idle speed only/no wake, no motor, and no entry zones.

Signs on the water indicating the prohibition of internal combustion engines
The Florida Keys "backcountry" includes many areas where motorized vessels are not allowed. Photo: Scott Atwell/NOAA

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

Error processing SSI file