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| Florida Keys Boating and Fishing Tips |
All About Florida Keys Fishing & Key West Fishing
Follow speed regulations and channel markers.
Speed zones and channel markers are safety devices used to provide guidance in dangerous areas, prevent boats from
running aground, and help protect the shoreline from erosion.
Buoys and markers may also indicate areas of ecological or biological importance, such as natural seagrass beds or marine
mammal protected areas.
High speeds in shallow waters can stir up ground sediments. Such turbulence not only affects sea plants and bottom-dwelling
organisms, but also impairs your ability to see sandbars, submerged obstacles, dangerous shoals, or surfacing marine
animals (such as manatees or sea turtles). Sand churned up from the bottom can also damage your engine's cooling system
and lead to costly repairs.
If you become grounded, do not attempt to motor your way out.
This could cause serious damage not only to your motor and propellers, but also to the seafloor and local marine organisms.
If you sight a marine mammal such as a manatee, dolphin or whale, slow down and keep a safe distance of 100 yards. It is
illegal to feed, harass, molest, or injure a marine mammal.
When anchoring, use mooring buoys or appropriate ground tackle, lower your anchor slowly and check your holding grounds.
Anchoring on rubble, coral reefs, or sea grass is unsafe and will destroy the underwater environment.
Speed zones and channel markers are safety devices used to provide guidance in dangerous areas, prevent boats from
running aground, and help protect the shoreline from erosion.
Buoys and markers may also indicate areas of ecological or biological importance, such as natural seagrass beds or marine
mammal protected areas.
High speeds in shallow waters can stir up ground sediments. Such turbulence not only affects sea plants and bottom-dwelling
organisms, but also impairs your ability to see sandbars, submerged obstacles, dangerous shoals, or surfacing marine
animals (such as manatees or sea turtles). Sand churned up from the bottom can also damage your engine's cooling system
and lead to costly repairs.
If you become grounded, do not attempt to motor your way out.
This could cause serious damage not only to your motor and propellers, but also to the seafloor and local marine organisms.
If you sight a marine mammal such as a manatee, dolphin or whale, slow down and keep a safe distance of 100 yards. It is
illegal to feed, harass, molest, or injure a marine mammal.
When anchoring, use mooring buoys or appropriate ground tackle, lower your anchor slowly and check your holding grounds.
Anchoring on rubble, coral reefs, or sea grass is unsafe and will destroy the underwater environment.
Above from the US Coast Guard
KEEPING YOUR BOTTOM OFF THE BOTTOM!
WARNING - navigation around coral reefs and seagrass can be tricky!
WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN TO "READ" WATER COLOR?
Many boaters do not realize that coral reefs and seagrass beds in the
Florida Keys can be growing within inches of the water's surface whether
they are located close to shore or several miles from shore.
The following navigation tips are provided to make your boating experience
easier and safer and to insure that others will be able to enjoy the same
spectacular and irreplaceable marine communities.
BROWN, BROWN RUN AGROUND
Reef formations that grow close to the water's surface and shallow sea
grass beds will make the water appear brown. Such areas should be
avoided to keep from running aground and damaging both your boat and
these sensitive habitats.
WHITE, WHITE YOU MIGHT
Sand bars and shallow rubble areas appear white. These areas can be
deceiving and may be much shallower than they appear. Navigate with
caution around these areas.
GREEN, GREEN NICE & CLEAN
Green water usually indicates an area free of shallow reefs or seagrass
beds. Navigation of small, shallow draft boats in these areas is generally
safe. However, larger, deeper draft boats should exercise caution. All
boaters should carry and consult the appropriate NOAA marine chart.
BLUE, BLUE CRUISE ON THROUGH
Deep water areas, such as the ocean side of a reef may appear blue.
Navigation in these areas is free from hazardous contact with reefs or
seagrass beds. Remember, however, that coral reefs rise abruptly from
deep water so give yourself plenty of room to maneuver.
WARNING - navigation around coral reefs and seagrass can be tricky!
WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN TO "READ" WATER COLOR?
Many boaters do not realize that coral reefs and seagrass beds in the
Florida Keys can be growing within inches of the water's surface whether
they are located close to shore or several miles from shore.
The following navigation tips are provided to make your boating experience
easier and safer and to insure that others will be able to enjoy the same
spectacular and irreplaceable marine communities.
BROWN, BROWN RUN AGROUND
Reef formations that grow close to the water's surface and shallow sea
grass beds will make the water appear brown. Such areas should be
avoided to keep from running aground and damaging both your boat and
these sensitive habitats.
WHITE, WHITE YOU MIGHT
Sand bars and shallow rubble areas appear white. These areas can be
deceiving and may be much shallower than they appear. Navigate with
caution around these areas.
GREEN, GREEN NICE & CLEAN
Green water usually indicates an area free of shallow reefs or seagrass
beds. Navigation of small, shallow draft boats in these areas is generally
safe. However, larger, deeper draft boats should exercise caution. All
boaters should carry and consult the appropriate NOAA marine chart.
BLUE, BLUE CRUISE ON THROUGH
Deep water areas, such as the ocean side of a reef may appear blue.
Navigation in these areas is free from hazardous contact with reefs or
seagrass beds. Remember, however, that coral reefs rise abruptly from
deep water so give yourself plenty of room to maneuver.
IF YOU RUN AGROUND:
Turn off your engine immediately. Do not attempt to use your engine to power off the reef or grass
flat, which could damage your boat as well as these important habitats. If possible, raise your
lower unit or outdrive and allow your vessel to drift free from the shallow area. If you cannot drift
free, radio Coast Guard, Sanctuary Patrol or Marine Patrol on VHF Channel 16 to provide you with
assistance.
CORAL REEFS are an essential marine habitat that fish and many other marine creatures need to
live, eat and reproduce Corals grow very slowly, some at a rate of 2 centimeters per year. Boat
groundings can instantly pulverize coral, leaving areas open to infection by disease and
devastating a thriving coral reef community.
Damage to seagrass beds can be equally devastating. Seagrass beds act as a nursery and
feeding ground for numerous organisms. They also filter excess nutrients and trap sediments,
thereby providing the clean, clear water essential for coral reefs. By running aground or even
motoring in very shallow water, boats can scar seagrass beds. These narrow sand channels can
grow wider and wider, decreasing the seabed's ability to protect the reef and provide a healthy
community for marine creatures.
MORE HELPFUL NAVIGATION HINTS....USE EXTRA CAUTION when there is extensive cloud
cover, a glassy calm sea state, extreme sun glare murky water. These are conditions when colors
may not be apparent.Mooring buoys are located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to
keep boaters from damaging coral with their anchors. Some mooring buoys are located near
extremely shallow reefs. Do not attempt to motor across a reef to reach a mooring buoy.
Polarized sunglasses are very helpful in distinguishing water colors.For Key Largo National Marine
Sanctuary, use NOAA chart #11462.For Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, use NOAA chart
#11445 or 11442.NOAA navigation charts are available at many marine supply stores throughout
the Keys.
For a complete guide to the charts available for the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, contact NOAA's
Charts & Publications Branch at 301-436-6990.
Text provided by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Turn off your engine immediately. Do not attempt to use your engine to power off the reef or grass
flat, which could damage your boat as well as these important habitats. If possible, raise your
lower unit or outdrive and allow your vessel to drift free from the shallow area. If you cannot drift
free, radio Coast Guard, Sanctuary Patrol or Marine Patrol on VHF Channel 16 to provide you with
assistance.
CORAL REEFS are an essential marine habitat that fish and many other marine creatures need to
live, eat and reproduce Corals grow very slowly, some at a rate of 2 centimeters per year. Boat
groundings can instantly pulverize coral, leaving areas open to infection by disease and
devastating a thriving coral reef community.
Damage to seagrass beds can be equally devastating. Seagrass beds act as a nursery and
feeding ground for numerous organisms. They also filter excess nutrients and trap sediments,
thereby providing the clean, clear water essential for coral reefs. By running aground or even
motoring in very shallow water, boats can scar seagrass beds. These narrow sand channels can
grow wider and wider, decreasing the seabed's ability to protect the reef and provide a healthy
community for marine creatures.
MORE HELPFUL NAVIGATION HINTS....USE EXTRA CAUTION when there is extensive cloud
cover, a glassy calm sea state, extreme sun glare murky water. These are conditions when colors
may not be apparent.Mooring buoys are located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to
keep boaters from damaging coral with their anchors. Some mooring buoys are located near
extremely shallow reefs. Do not attempt to motor across a reef to reach a mooring buoy.
Polarized sunglasses are very helpful in distinguishing water colors.For Key Largo National Marine
Sanctuary, use NOAA chart #11462.For Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, use NOAA chart
#11445 or 11442.NOAA navigation charts are available at many marine supply stores throughout
the Keys.
For a complete guide to the charts available for the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, contact NOAA's
Charts & Publications Branch at 301-436-6990.
Text provided by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Before heading out, check weather conditions. Strong winds and rough seas can result in poor visibility and reduce safe
interaction at the reef.
Dumping trash at sea is illegal; plastic bags and other debris can injure or kill marine animals. Bring your trash back to shore
and recycle it. Try to retrieve fishing gear and equipment, especially monofilament line.
Use sewage pump-out facility and biodegradable bilge cleaner and never discharge bilge water at the reef.
Use reef mooring buoys or anchor in sandy areas away from coral and seagrasses so that anchor, chain, and line do not
contact or damage coral or seagrasses.
Accidental boat groundings damage coral and seagrasses. Consult tide and navigational charts and steer clear of shallow
areas. Fine are imposed for such damage.
Avoid areas which appear brown in color. Shallow reef areas and seagrass beds will appear brown.
If you run aground; immediately turn the engine off, and tilt it up if possible. Do not try to motor off. Wait until high tide to remove
the vessel. Call for assistance when necessary.
When in a diving area, slow down to an idle speed.
Fishermen, do not troll over or near divers. Stay at least 100 feet from a red and white diver down flag and watch for bubbles.
Florida law requires a fishing license. Applicable size, bag limits, and seasons must be observed when harvesting seafood.
Release all the fish you cannot eat.
Don't throw fish carcasses or wrung lobsters overboard or into canals as they decompose and degrade water quality.
Avoid wildlife disturbance; stay 100 yards or more offshore; keep speed, noise and wakes to a minimum near mangroves.
Camping, campfires and collecting of any kind are prohibited in all National Wildlife Refuges. Personal watercraft and airboats
are illegal in all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys.
Other rules and regulations apply in various areas of the Florida Keys. Check with the appropriate governing agencies.
Above written by:
Reef Relief
www.reefrelief.org
201 William St
Key West, FL 33040
________________________________________________________________________________________________
interaction at the reef.
Dumping trash at sea is illegal; plastic bags and other debris can injure or kill marine animals. Bring your trash back to shore
and recycle it. Try to retrieve fishing gear and equipment, especially monofilament line.
Use sewage pump-out facility and biodegradable bilge cleaner and never discharge bilge water at the reef.
Use reef mooring buoys or anchor in sandy areas away from coral and seagrasses so that anchor, chain, and line do not
contact or damage coral or seagrasses.
Accidental boat groundings damage coral and seagrasses. Consult tide and navigational charts and steer clear of shallow
areas. Fine are imposed for such damage.
Avoid areas which appear brown in color. Shallow reef areas and seagrass beds will appear brown.
If you run aground; immediately turn the engine off, and tilt it up if possible. Do not try to motor off. Wait until high tide to remove
the vessel. Call for assistance when necessary.
When in a diving area, slow down to an idle speed.
Fishermen, do not troll over or near divers. Stay at least 100 feet from a red and white diver down flag and watch for bubbles.
Florida law requires a fishing license. Applicable size, bag limits, and seasons must be observed when harvesting seafood.
Release all the fish you cannot eat.
Don't throw fish carcasses or wrung lobsters overboard or into canals as they decompose and degrade water quality.
Avoid wildlife disturbance; stay 100 yards or more offshore; keep speed, noise and wakes to a minimum near mangroves.
Camping, campfires and collecting of any kind are prohibited in all National Wildlife Refuges. Personal watercraft and airboats
are illegal in all National Parks and Wildlife Refuges in the Florida Keys.
Other rules and regulations apply in various areas of the Florida Keys. Check with the appropriate governing agencies.
Above written by:
Reef Relief
www.reefrelief.org
201 William St
Key West, FL 33040
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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