NMMA weighs in on restoration plan for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
by National Marine Manufacturers Association 6 Feb 2020 05:56 PST
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary © Will Benson
Last week, NMMA submitted comments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regarding its draft environmental impact statement for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), also known as the Restoration Blueprint.
The FKNMS is a critical marine habitat and destination for recreational boaters and anglers all over the word, with millions visiting each year. Understanding the significant pressure on the sanctuary and changing environmental conditions, NMMA supports a plan that responsibly balances resource protection with user access.
In general, NMMA supports Alternative Plan 2 because it balances recreation access while providing much-needed protections to critical natural resources. The need for the proposed action is based on widespread, acute, chronic, and emerging threats to marine resources in the Florida Keys. The existing marine zones and management plan activities designed and implemented by FKNMS in 1997 are no longer adequate to ensure the long-term health and protection of this ecosystem.
To read more please go to the original article.