1. Protecting Biscayne’s Underwater Treasures

2. 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

3. 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)

7. Biscayne National Park

8. 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

16. Protecting Biscayne’s Underwater Treasures. Challenge of contacting visitors Information/education at docks, park website, press releasespark website 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

19. Coral Restoration Program NPCA/Nature Valley Coral restoration in action