II. Boundary Alternatives (see Figure 7) 



Boundary Alternative Approx. Area Ecological Zones (See Fig. 4) 



#1 1 nm sq Fore Reef, portions of the Reef 



Flat, Deep Reef, Patch Reef 



#2 (preferred 5 sq nm Fore Reef, Reef Flat, Deep Reef, 

 alternative) Patch Reef, Deep Ridge 



#3 10 sq nm All 5 above zones plus additional 



Patch Reef areas east and west of 

 the reef 



A. Boundary Alternative #1 (1 nmi sq 3.5 sq km) 



This one nautical mile square alternative corresponds to the Habitat Area 

 of Particular Concern (HAPC) at Looe Key being proposed in the FMP for Coral and 

 Coral Reef Resources by the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management 

 Councils (for specific aspects of the plan see Chapter 3, Status Quo). 



The coordinates for this boundary alternative are: 



a. 24% 33.4' North b. 



81% 25' West 



d. 24% 32.2' N c. 



81% 25' W 



This one nautical mile square sanctuary with the center approximately 

 in the middle of the Looe Key Reef Flat would encompass two reef zones of 

 the Looe Key ecological system: the Reef Flat and the Fore Reef. At the 

 southern margin it would contain a narrow band of the shallowest part of the 

 Deep Reef and at the northern rim some very small reef outcrops belonging to the 

 Patch Reef zone. These additions, however, are so limited in area as to be 

 negl igible. 



Boundary alternative #1 would protect the best developed and unique 

 coral formation of the entire Looe Key reef system from physical impact. 

 The Fore Reef is a spur and groove system about 1500 X 350 meters wide, 

 extending from the low tide mark down to a little over 9m depth (Antonius, 

 1980). 



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