Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Approves Plan for Dry Tortugas National Park, Largest Marine Reserve in North America
Thursday, February 2, 2006
By: Matt Hourihan

Research Natural Area will act as critical 'living lab' for scientists and managers

Gainesville, FL The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission advanced Florida’s ocean stewardship today by approving the National Park Service’s management plan for the Dry Tortugas National Park. The vote approves the establishment of a Research Natural Area (RNA) adjacent to the Tortugas North Ecological Reserve, which was established by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the State of Florida in 2001. This vote will help preserve one of the most pristine ecosystems in the nation, valued by fishermen, scientists, conservationists and the public at large. Located 70 miles west of the Florida Keys, the Tortugas ecosystem includes dense and diverse hard and soft coral, seagrass habitats, sharks, lobsters, grouper and other marine species. Today’s vote, nearly five years after its original proposal, helps to ensure that largest marine reserve in North America will remain healthy for future generations.

“This vote is a major step forward for ecosystem-based management and ocean stewardship 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 study unspoiled marine ecosystems. This knowledge can be exported to other regions, and scientists will be able to measure the effectiveness of other management efforts around the country. Two major commission reports have stressed the need for effective ecosystem-based management to attain better ocean stewardship, and this will be a major tool in that effort.”

The Park Service plan effectively balances resource protection, scientific research, and public recreation, keeping more than 50 percent of the Park’s waters open to recreational fishing. These open areas include some of the park’s most popular fishing sites, as identified by fishermen.

“They’ve done a terrific job balancing protections with uses,” said White. “It will keep some of the best fishing spots open, and 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.”

The proposal has enjoyed consistently strong public support from groups that value ocean stewardship. The Park Service held eleven public comment hearings on their proposal. Out of the 6,104 opinions, 97 percent supported the management plan and proposed RNA.

Tomorrow, the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, composed of members of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission, will release its report card on U.S. ocean policy reform in Washington, DC. While it’s clear that the federal government has fallen far short of its responsibilities for improved ocean governance, it’s also apparent that some states have effectively filled the ocean leadership vacuum.

“Today’s vote is a clear example of continued state leadership on critical ocean issues,” said Roger Rufe, President of The Ocean Conservancy and Pew Oceans Commissioner. “Those involved in creating the Tortugas North Ecological Reserve have shown themselves to be true ocean stewards. We hope the federal government can catch up to the states and reform the way it manages our oceans for future generations.”