The FMP most relevant to Looe Key is the Coral and Coral Reef Resour- 

 ces Plan, This FMP proposes to create a Habitat Area of Particular Concern 

 (HAPC) consisting of 1 sq nm which emphasizes protection of the 

 actual spur and groove Fore Reef from physical damage. However, the Coral 

 and Coral Reef Resources FMP will not necessarily provide protection to 

 components of the system which are not exploitable fishery resources. In 

 addition, the long-term biological productivity of a system is by no means 

 assured by such protection efforts. Finally, the Coral and Coral Reef 

 Resources FMP does not focus on management, particularly as it relates to 

 environmental monitoring, visitor uses, public education, research aimed 

 at assessing the effectiveness of protective measures and the health of 

 the total system. 



Thus, the management protections offered by the FCMA are at best 

 uncertain. Nor does the FCMA assure the site-specific research, moni- 

 toring and education elements that long term preservation of the area 

 requires. A marine sanctuary would provide a useful complement to the 

 FMP process. 



In conclusion, available information indicates that perpetuation of 

 the status quo will not adequately protect the Looe Key area from present 

 or future impacts on the physical, biological, and ecological environment 

 nor enhance scientific, educational, recreational and aesthetic values of 

 the ecosystem. The marine sanctuary program proposes to provide a compre- 

 hensive mechanism through long-term management to protect this ecosystem 

 and to respond in a timely fashion to marine conservation issues and to 

 the interests of affected user groups as those issues arise. 



III. PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 



A. Goals and Objectives 



To determine the preferred alternative boundary and regulations that 

 adequately address the issues and problems of Looe Key, a set of management 

 goals and objectives has been developed and out of this management frame- 

 work appropriate controls will be determined. The goals and objectives 

 are as follows : 



Goal 1: To maintain, protect and enhance the quality of the 

 natural, biological, aesthetic and cultural resources 

 of the Looe Key system. 



Objectives: 



° Promulgate protective regulations to provide a frame- 

 work for onsite management. 



° Provide for adequate enforcement. 



° Utilize data to modify regulations and to determine 

 management strategies; assess management needs and 

 priorities. 



Goal 2: To promote and stimulate marine research efforts directed 

 toward identification and analysis of marine ecological 

 i nterrel ationships. 



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