Ballast and Man Keys Flats Wildlife Management Area

Sandwiched between Ballast and Man Keys in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, lies 1.51 square miles of flats which are often exposed during low tide, and exhibit light-to-severe prop scarring in seagrass. This idle-speed zone decreases disturbance to ESA-listed sea turtles and protects important hard-bottom habitat, while reducing user conflict between flats fishers and recreational boaters, which maintain use of channels.

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.