Tortugas Bank Wildlife Management Area

Tortugas Bank Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a 32-square mile zone prohibiting anchoring by vessels over 164 feet (50 meters) in length—a measure that protects coral and hard-bottom habitats on Tortugas Bank from anchor damage. Tortugas Bank is the westernmost feature of the Florida Keys, but it is a submarine feature, wholly submerged, without any islands or above-water rocks. The bank is located about 8.7 miles (14 kilometers) west of Loggerhead Key—the westernmost islet of the Dry Tortugas and the closest piece of land.

The Tortugas Banks are coral reefs that developed on a foundation of Pleistocene karst limestone at depths of 65 to 131 feet (20 to 40 meters). The banks are extensive with low coral diversity, but high coral cover. The most conspicuous coral is Montastraea cavernosa, and black corals (Order: Antipatharia) are common on the outer bank edges. The banks are also used by groupers and snappers that support a major fishery.

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.