Gov. Bush and Cabinet Approve Plan for Dry Tortugas National Park, Creating the Largest Marine Reserve in North America
Posted on: Tuesday, 9 August 2005, 15:00 CDT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Aug. 9 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Gov. Bush and the Florida Cabinet have unanimously approved the National Park Service's management plan for the Dry Tortugas National Park. The vote approves the establishment of a Research Natural Area (RNA) located adjacent to the Tortugas North Ecological Reserve, established by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the State of Florida in 2001. This vote preserves a marine ecosystem 70 miles west of the Florida Keys that includes dense and diverse hard and soft coral, seagrass habitats, sharks, lobsters, grouper and other marine life. This step also completes the original 197- nautical mile reserve first proposed four years ago creating the largest marine reserve in North America.
"This is a major step forward for ecosystem management in Florida," said David White, regional director for The Ocean Conservancy. "The Research Natural Area will provide a living laboratory for generations of marine scientists and managers to measure the effectiveness of other management efforts around the country. It will also provide an opportunity for divers and other visitors to experience a healthy, fully-protected coral reef ecosystem, with a natural diversity and abundance of native marine species. Fishing will also be improved in areas outside of the reserve. There's really something in this for everyone," says White.
The Park Service plan balances resource protection, scientific research, and public recreation, by keeping more than 50 percent of the Park's waters open to recreational fishing, including areas that were identified by fishermen as the most popular fishing sites. The RNA increases the size of the existing ecological reserve and adds important shallow water habitats that are considered essential for research and conservation of the marine ecosystem.
The Park Service held 11 public comment hearings to receive recommendations and edits to their proposal. Out of the 6,104 opinions that were shared during this period, 97 percent supported the management plan and the establishment of the proposed RNA.
The Ocean Conservancy and its members worked to make the Tortugas Ecological Reserve a reality for over ten years. "It was a long process," said White. "But in the end, the Governor and Cabinet demonstrated great leadership for our oceans and have helped establish a living legacy that will benefit future generations."
The Pew Ocean Commission, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, and the Coral Reef Task Force National Strategic Plan all recommend an ecosystem-based approach to managing marine resources, raising public awareness and fostering a stronger sense of ocean stewardship among the public. http://www.usnewswire.com
Source: U.S. Newswire
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