Tag Archives: Florida Keys

Islamorada volunteers protecting marine life

Thumbs up, volunteers!

Gray Angelfish: Looe Key Reef, Florida Keys Na...
Gray Angelfish: Looe Key Reef, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Photo credit: Phil’s 1stPix)
Source: newsobserver.com
ISLAMORADA, Fla. — Back in the 1960s, University of Miami marine scientist Walter Starck recorded 517 species of fish in and around Alligator Reef off Islamorada – the greatest number recorded from any one place in the Americas at that time.

Today, following decades of human and natural impacts, this coral ledge topped by a lighthouse and fringed with rubble and sea grass still delights scientists and divers with its rich species diversity.

Islamorada underwater photographers Carlos and Allison Estape – volunteers with the nonprofit Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) – recently embarked on their own fish count at Alligator Reef, a no-take zone ever since the 1997 implementation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary management plan. The couple is up to a little more than 100 species on a single dive, with the photographs to prove it. Lad Akins, longtime operations director for REEF, said the Upper Keys sanctuary preservation area is among only a few other known locations in the tropical Western Atlantic with a one-dive, 100-plus fish species count. Chief among them is the tiny island of Bonaire in the southern Caribbean.

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Diving Holidays: Florida Keys

Have you ever dreamed of going to Florida Keys to dive? Here is an account of what to expect.

The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys (Photo credit: emilio labrador)
Source: laurasglobetrotting.com

Scuba Diving and Camping in Key Largo

Palm trees, ship wrecks, and seafood galore are just a few of the things that describe the Florida Keys. Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, this 120-mile long island chain is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States and the third largest barrier reef in the world. As if this wasn’t enough, the Keys are also home to the Florida Keys shipwreck trail and dozens of dive shops.

Read the full article at laurasglobetrotting.com.

 

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