Florida Keys Coral Reefs First in U.S.
to Receive International Protection
One of Only Five Sensitive Sea Areas in the World
November 13,
2002Press Release from:
NOAA
Deputy Secretary of
Commerce Sam Bodman joined with shipping industry representatives today
to announce that the department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) has taken historic steps through the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) to create the first U.S. zone to protect
coral from anchors, groundings and collisions from large international
ships. The zone, known as the Florida Keys' Particularly Sensitive Sea
Area, is more than 3,000 square nautical miles and is one of only five
such areas in the world.
Starting Dec. 1, ships
greater than 50 meters (164 feet) in length transiting the zone will be
held to internationally accepted and enforceable rules. The rules direct
ship captains to avoid certain areas within the zone altogether and
abide by three no-anchoring areas within the zone. All nautical charts
produced worldwide will now show the Florida Particularly Sensitive Sea
Area and address, these protective measures. More than 40 percent of the
world's commerce passes through the Florida Straits each year. Ten large
ship groundings have occurred in the zone since 1984 and coral damage by
rogue anchoring by large ships or freighters has occurred 17 times since
1997.
"This rare international
form of protection now awarded to fragile Florida Keys coral reefs is an
example of how federal resource managers can work closely with industry
to protect vulnerable natural resources while simultaneously supporting
shipping and economic growth. Both ship trade and the tourism tied to
the Keys coral reefs have vital economic significance to the state and
region," said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Samuel W. Bodman at a news
conference held in the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C. "This
protective status makes the international shipping community aware of
the coral reefs and increases compliance with domestic measures already
in place to protect the area, while not hindering trade and commerce."
NOAA received strong
support from the state government of Florida while applying for official
status of the protective zone, as well as from U.S. shipping interests,
which have been complying with similar domestic protective policy for
years now.
"The State of Florida
recognizes the importance of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
and the protections that already exist on a national scale," said
Florida Governor Jeb Bush. "This is yet another step to ensure that our
international shipping community is aware of the protections we have put
in place for this unique ecosystem. Florida has an important natural
resource that must be protected."
Also speaking at the
news conference in support of these measures was Joe Cox, president of
the Chamber of Shipping of America, which represents 21 U.S.-based
shipping companies said, "It is imperative that the maritime industry
support environmental protection initiatives that maintain the ability
to continue efficient, effective and environmentally responsible marine
transportation," he said. "The free flow of commerce and protection of
our marine environment demand nothing less."
NOAA and the U.S.
delegation worked on behalf of the State of Florida to submit a proposal
to the IMO to designate the marine area that stretches from Biscayne
National Park to the Tortugas and encompasses all of NOAA's Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary. The IMO is a United Nations Specialized
Agency that is responsible for issues relating to international
shipping.
The waters around the
Florida Keys and the Tortugas are some of the most heavily trafficked
shipping areas in the world. Over the years, ships have caused damage to
the coral reef ecosystem through anchoring, groundings, collisions and
accidental or operational discharges of harmful substances.
To gain approval for a
protected sea area, a nation must identify maritime-interest compliance
measures with which the IMO can direct ships to comply. For the Florida
Keys' Particularly Sensitive Sea Area these measures are four "areas to
be avoided" that prevent large ships from traveling too close to the
coral reef. This amendment to the northernmost area to be avoided was
developed in response to comments by mariners operating in the area
because of the risk of collisions that could result in devastating
pollution to the reefs.
Yet another measure
declares three mandatory no-anchoring areas that protect fragile reefs
in the Tortugas. While protecting the fragile coral against the
significant destruction that can be caused by the dragging and swinging
of large anchors, this measure also takes into account the interests of
shipping and commerce by continuing to allow ships to navigate through
this area.
While these measures are
in place domestically, adoption by the IMO means these areas will appear
on international charts, thus increasing mariner awareness and
compliance. For instance, although the no-anchoring zones protecting the
deep reefs of the Tortugas have been in place since 1997 and appear on
NOAA nautical charts, many foreign-flagged vessels travel the area and
carry non-NOAA charts that do not identify this zone. Thus, while
anchoring incidents have declined since 1997, NOAA continues to document
violations.
The four other
particularly sensitive sea areas are the Great Barrier Reef, Australia;
the Sabana-Camaguey Archipelago, Cuba; Malpelo Island, Colombia; and the
Wadden Sea proposed by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany.
NOAA and the State of
Florida, through a co-trustee agreement, manage the Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary. The congressionally designated sanctuary was
signed into law Nov. 16, 1990 by President George Bush. It protects
2,896 square nautical miles stretching from Biscayne Bay to the
Tortugas, and encompasses some of this nation's most significant marine
resources. |
