Urge NOAA to protect the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

We, the undersigned, thank the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for its efforts thus far to save the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and we urge NOAA to do more. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a special place. It is home to more than 6,000 species of marine life, and contains mangroves, seagrass beds and more.

Unfortunately, this wild place and the wildlife it supports are at risk. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is threatened by overuse, water pollution and more. In order to save this special place, NOAA ought to include large areas like the Tortugas Corridor, and two shore-to-reef protected areas from Key Largo to Carysfort Reef and Long Key State Park to Tennessee Reef in its final rule. NOAA should also adopt a Sanctuary-wide regulation that would require idle speeds within 100 yards of all shorelines throughout the Sanctuary, which would prevent seagrass scars and wildlife scares in these important habitats.

Sincerely,