DEP Coral Protection & Restoration Program (CPR) and Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) spent two days collecting sediment and water samples in Broward County as part of a DEP CPR-funded project to investigate pollutants in sediment pore water. The DEP dive teams collected over 60 samples across the two days with topside support from NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).

On July 14th, the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) along with Friends of Our Florida Reef and Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) successfully held the 14th Annual Southeast Florida Reef Cleanup. Five dive shops participated throughout Palm Beach County, Broward County and Miami-Dade County, including, DECO Divers, ACE Diving, Pura Vida Divers, Kyalami Divers, and Sea Experience.

The Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve is the most recently designated aquatic preserve. It is home to the northernmost section of Florida’s Coral Reef and part of the only barrier reef system in the continental United States. This aquatic preserve supports more than 6,000 uniquely stunning species of marine life, including fish, stony corals, gorgonians, sponges and other marine invertebrates.