Protecting Biscayne’s Underwater Treasures

Protecting Biscayne’s Underwater Treasures.

•Problem: boat groundings, depreciative behavior, (impacts to soil; impacts to vegetation; impacts to water; impacts to wildlife); crowding; conflict

•Strategies: reduce the impact of use, harden resource/ experience

•Management Practices: facility development/site design/maintenance; rules/regulations; information/ education

Protecting Biscayne’s Underwater Treasures.

•The park▫1968/1980▫173,000 acres (95% underwater)▫Biologically rich coral reefs and seagrass

meadows▫Shallow water▫Half a million visitors (boating, swimming,

snorkeling, fishing)

Biscayne National Park

Protecting Biscayne’s Underwater Treasures.

•The park▫1968/1980▫173,000 acres (95% underwater)▫Biologically rich coral reefs and seagrass

meadows▫Shallow water▫Half a million visitors (boating, swimming,

snorkeling, fishing)•Damage from recreational boating

Protecting Biscayne’s Underwater Treasures.

•Challenge of contacting visitors•Information/education at docks, park website,

press releases•How to use nautical charts, use electronic

navigation equipment, tide tables•“brown, brown, run aground!”/”blue, blue,

cruise on through.”•Markers and buoys•Fines for grounding (and liability for cost of

restoration)•How to deal with a grounding

Coral Restoration Program

•NPCA/Nature Valley•Coral restoration in action