Florida is often called the boating capital of the nation, with more than 930,000 registered vessels. Florida’s numerous natural resources such as mangroves, seagrasses, estuaries and coral reefs are a major draw for resident and visiting boaters alike. Outdoor activities associated with boating such as birding, fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving contribute to Florida’s growing economy.  

From world-class fishing, diving and snorkeling to the famed ocean-inspired cuisine, Southeast Florida’s marine finfish and shellfish industries are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Florida’s reef ecosystem is home to hundreds of different species of fish and other animals such as shrimp, crabs, sharks and lobster.  

Click the link below to view responsible fishing practices.

Diving and snorkeling are some of the best ways to visit Florida’s Coral Reef by coming face-to-face with the abundance of marine life. Unfortunately, these types of activities can cause physical damage to coral reefs. Click the link below to view responsible practices for snorkeling and diving at coral reefs.

The SEACAR Data Discovery site serves as the foundation of SEACAR’s products. It is user-friendly, uniform, and includes data for all five habitats in one database. Environmental data in the database is linked to spatial data, contributing program information, protocols and logos.

SEACAR is a stakeholder driven collaborative project working with local, state, and federal agencies, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations to utilize current knowledge and scientific data to assess the status and trends of submerged habitats and provide the best available science to help guide planning, management, restoration and policy decisions.

The Southeast Florida Action Network (SEAFAN) is a citizen reporting and response system designed to improve the protection and management of Southeast Florida's offshore coral reefs by enhancing marine debris cleanup efforts, increasing response to vessel groundings and anchor damage and providing early detection of potentially harmful biological disturbances.

Click on the link below to learn more or to report a concern.