NOAA wants to expand the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) and also has plans to for more regulations in the area. The group Say no to NOAA is circulating a petition stating the many reasons NOAA should not be allowed to expand regulations or expand the sanctuary.
The group’s bullet points state that water quality is the biggest issue facing the area. NOAA hasn’t restored the water quality since creating the FKNMS in 1990. The group also claims that closing certain areas will cause overcrowding and exacerbate stress in other areas. The Blue Star program is biased. This program was established by the FKNMS.
Its purpose is to recognize tour operators who are committed to promoting responsible and sustainable practices while enjoying activities like diving and fishing. The idea is to reduce the impacts that these activities have on the environment. The group also claims that most of the regulations aren’t science based.
The community group has a list of its own suggestions that we listed below:
- Propose a plan of restoration of the poor water quality
- Install more mooring buoys.
- Add and maintain channel markers in the back country
- Update NOAA’s Charts, including digital versions
- Create more artificial reefs to take the pressure off the real reefs.
- Require educational videos and Certifications for out of town boat operators, particularly those renting a boat.
- Eliminate mini lobster season
- Hold NOAA employees accountable for their actions like everyone else
The group says that all of this boils down to good science and trust. According to them; NOAA didn’t use good science and didn’t maintain nor did the organization follow the original FKNMS management plan. Instead, NOOA allowed the water quality to worsen and remain unchecked. They followed with saying that NOAA blamed others and intentionally allowed the Programmatic agreement with the State of Florida to expire in order for them to gain control over al historic resources.
