The Florida Keys are home to the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The reef extends from Key Largo to the Dry Torgugas – 40 miles west into the Gulf of Mexico.
The reefs here are spectacular and rival those of many of the Caribbean islands. There are approximately 6,000 coral and patch reefs between Key Biscayne and the Dry Tortugas.
Coral reefs are specialized habitats that provide food, shelter and breeding sites for numerous plants and animals. They provide natural protection for the adjacent coast, and are very important to Florida’s economy. The attraction to the coral reefs contribute greatly to the total value of Florida’s fisheries.
Coral reefs need specific environmental characteristics
Only developing in specific environmental characteristics, coral reefs have a solid structure for the base; warm and predictable water temperatures; oceanic salinities; clear, transparent waters low in phosphate and nitrogen nutrients, and moderate wave action to disperse wastes and bring oxygen and plankton to the reef.
The Florida Key’s tropical setting and it’s beautiful coral reefs attracts millions of visitors annually. We must all minimize human damage to the reefs. The reefs are well marked on navigation – if you are not familiar with the area, refer to the charts.
Mote Marine joins coral reef restoration effort
by Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Erich Bartels of Mote Marine Lab places nursery-grown coral fragments at an outplant site offshore of Big Pine Key, Florida. (Photo provided / Mote Marine Lab) Mote Marine Laboratory‘s Coral Reef Science and Monitoring Program is participating in a …
Herald Tribune
Coral Rehabilitation Underway in Keys
by Florida Sportsman Magazine
by Florida Sportsman Newswire • May 15, 2012 • No comments BIG PINE KEY, FL — Scientists are transplanting up to 10000 nursery-grown staghorn and elkhorn corals to degraded reefs in Florida and the US Virgin Islands in the largest marine restoration …
Florida Sportsman
Divers mark 10th anniversary of retired navy ship in …
by Washington Post
KEY LARGO, Fla. — Divers marked the 10th anniversary of the conversion of a retired Navy ship into an artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary on Wednesday, heading down to the Spiegel Grove to place the ashes of one of its most …
Washington Post
Keys Reefs Are an Underwater Paradise for Snorkelers
FLORIDA KEYS — Featuring vivid coral reefs teeming with exotic sea creatures, the Florida Keys offer a ready-made vacation paradise that attracts almost …
Florida Keys News
The Florida Keys coral reefs are significant, unique natural resources. We all must do our part and be responsible when visiting the reefs, to insure that for many years to come people can enjoy one of Americas Treasures.
Related articles
- Caribbean Coral Reefs “On the Verge of Collapse” (planetsave.com)
- Coral scientists use new model to find where corals are most likely to survive climate change (terradaily.com)
- Florida Keys Fishing Patch Reefs (keywestallinclusiveresorts.org)
- Key West Weddings: Why Consider All Inclusive Packages (keywestallinclusiveresorts.org)
