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Aquatic Preserves

Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve

NEWS     |     RESOURCES     |     CALENDAR

Formally known as Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area, the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve is located off the southeast coast of Florida and covers 105 miles from St. Lucie Inlet in Martin County to the northern boundary of Biscayne National Park in Miami-Dade County.

 

The video below is 360-degree footage. You can pan around the reef by clicking and dragging.

HISTORY

In 2003, the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative team first met to develop local action strategies to improve the coordination of technical and financial support for the conservation and management of the reefs off the coast of southeast Florida. This area was chosen because of its intensely urbanized areas that lacked a coordinated management plan, as well as the proximity of coral habitats to the shore. The area officially became the Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area in 2018 and was renamed the Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area in 2021 in honor of the late Broward County state representative. On July 1, 2024, the area became designated as the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers can participate in shore-based or underwater marine debris cleanups, attend a BleachWatch training to learn how to detect bleaching and disease on coral reefs, report marine incidents to SEAFAN, and serve as a coral reef ambassador by practicing responsible boating, fishing, diving and snorkeling habits.

Events

  • Annual Southeast Florida Reef Cleanup
  • Annual Earth Month webinar series
  • Partner agencies also host multiple cleanup and community events throughout the year.

Educational Opportunities

The Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve holds an annual Earth Month webinar series to learn about Florida’s Coral Reef and how to identify coral, reef fish and invertebrates that can be found there. The Travelling Teaching Trunk program makes Florida’s Coral Reef lesson plans and activities available to schools for grades K-12 to teach students about ecosystems within the aquatic preserve.

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

The coral reef has a long history of shipwrecks. There are many within the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve. Notably, three wrecks are currently designated as preserves and listed by the Florida Division of Historical Resources: the Half Moon, SS Copenhagen and the Lofthus. All three are in shallow water between 8 and 30 feet deep and are popular diving and snorkeling sites as well as educational tools.

Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve contains a series of ridges, also called terraces, that run parallel to the region’s coastline, separated by sediment layers of varying thickness. These ridges host diverse coral reefs and associated communities that together comprise the inner, middle and outer reefs of Southeast Florida.

The Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve features a diverse ecosystem that provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The preserve encompasses coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. The coral reefs provide shelter, food and breeding sites for numerous fish and invertebrate species. Seagrass beds serve as nurseries for many fish species that are caught recreationally and commercially, while also offering foraging grounds for manatees. Mangroves protect the coastline from erosion and provide a haven for juvenile fish and various bird species.

Wildlife Habitat and Ecosystem Type
Aquatic preserve, coral reef habitat

Nesting and Migrating Birds
Pelicans, anhinga, cormorant, spotted sandpiper, gulls, terns

Mammals
Manatees, dolphins, North Atlantic right whale

Reptiles
Sea turtles, American crocodile

Fish
Grouper, snapper, hogfish, parrotfish, angelfish, snook, cobia, tuna, billfish, sharks, rays, many other recreationally and commercially important species

Other Species
Hard corals, gorgonians, sponges, spiny lobster, queen conch, jellyfish, anemones, long-spine sea urchin and other invertebrates

Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts to protect the Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve include water quality monitoring to identify and characterize sources of pollution; marine debris removal to protect coral reef organisms from physical damage; supporting the county mooring buoy programs and enforcing the Florida Coral Reef Protection Act to protect corals from damage caused by ships anchoring on reef habitat; cultivation and outplanting of genetically diverse corals to support the natural recovery of coral reefs; and promoting education about the ecosystems within the preserve to increase public stewardship of the preserve and its inhabitants.

Ongoing Research

Ongoing research projects include water quality monitoring; monitoring status and trends of benthic habitats; determining the effects of different stressors on coral reef organisms including turbidity, nutrients and toxins; supporting the research and development of innovative resilience interventions and coral larval propagation techniques; and examining the potential roles of sediments and water quality in the spread of coral disease.

Highlights

Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve staff recently participated in Disturbance Response Monitoring Surveys. This data is collected as a collaborative effort across the jurisdictions of the Florida's Coral Reef and has proven to be an extremely valuable resource for analyzing long-term trends in coral health and demographics in South Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Kristin Jacobs Coral Aquatic Preserve can be enjoyed year-round depending on the activity. The dry season occurs during the winter and spring, usually December to May, and the wet season occurs during the summer, usually June to November. June through November is hurricane season that can bring heavy winds and rain. Diving, snorkeling and paddle sports are best when the waters are calm and clear, however some watersports are more common when the winds pick up. Fishing, swimming and beachgoing can be enjoyed year-round as well.

Guided tours are available throughout the preserve through fishing charters and dive shops. Educational programs include the preserve’s annual Earth Month webinar series and Florida’s Coral Reef lesson plans.

Yes. Aquatic preserves often are adjacent to other conservation areas that may have nesting birds or other easily disturbed wildlife. Please do not let your pet run free in areas not designated for pets, and please pick up after your pet to avoid hazardous pathogens in our coastal waters. However certain beaches may have restricted access.

Follow current FWC saltwater fishing regulations.

Follow current FWC boating regulations.

Seagrass is protected within aquatic preserves; avoid shallow waters and raise motor if over seagrass. Damage to seagrass can result in a fine up to $1,000. 

Florida's Coral Reef Protection Act makes it illegal to anchor on or otherwise damage coral reefs in Florida.

Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

ADA accommodations are specific to each access point and the managing entity for that site. 

There are no fees required by the preserve, but specific access points may charge access fees to those sites.

Volunteers can get involved in shore-based or underwater marine debris cleanups, join a BleachWatch training to learn how to detect bleaching and disease on coral reefs, report marine incidents to SEAFAN.net and by practicing responsible habits when boating, fishing, diving and snorkeling.

Partner Groups