TALLAHASSEE, Florida (9 Aug 2005) -- The state will move forward with a management plan for a large expanse of the Gulf of Mexico around the Dry Tortugas that includes a new large no-fishing zone under a plan given preliminary approval Tuesday by Gov. Jeb Bush and the Cabinet. The plan covers a variety of issues dealing with how Florida and the federal government will manage the waters in and around the Dry Tortugas National Park, a vast marine ecosystem about 70 miles west of the Florida Keys. But the part of the proposed management plan that has attracted the most attention is the creation of a 46-square nautical mile "Research Natural Area" that would be off limits to recreational fishing but would allow recreational snorkeling and scuba diving as well as research. The area is part of the larger national park, where commercial fishing is banned. Marine biologists said the no-fishing zone will help ensure that marine life in the area isn't overfished, which not only would be a problem biologically but would imperil a huge tourism industry in the adjacent Florida Keys. "More fish mean better things all around," said Jerry Ault, a professor at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science. There's widespread consensus in the Keys in favor of creating the no-fishing area, said several residents who traveled to Tallahassee to speak in favor of it. The Monroe County Commission unanimously supports it as do several fishing and business groups. | | Dry Tortugas National Park The National Park Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will draft detailed rules for the management plan, which would still need final approval from the Cabinet. Also Tuesday, the Cabinet got an update on the health of the larger coral reef system that abuts the Florida Keys and heard that it may need more protection. In the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, coral cover decreased significantly from 7.2 percent to 6.8 percent between 2003 and 2004, according to sanctuary officials' annual report. Sanctuary officials say overfishing and water quality problems from runoff are likely at least partly to blame. |
