Spearfishing is prohibited within the boundaries of John Pennekamp 

 Coral Reef State Park, and the salt waters in Monroe County from the Dade/ 

 Monroe County line to and including Long Key. The DNR also has the power to 

 establish restricted areas when safety hazards exist or when needs are deter- 

 mined by biological findings. 



The National Park Service at the Everglades National Park, located at the 

 tip of the South Florida Peninsula, has initiated proposed regulations which 

 include restriction of recreational shellfishing and the elimination of com- 

 mercial fishing within the waters of the Park by December 13, 1985. These 

 proposed restrictions are highly controversial locally. 



Biscayne National Park in the northernmost Florida Key is primarily an 

 underwater park although it was designated by Congress, with rules slightly 

 different from a National Park Service park. To establish Biscayne National 

 Monument, the State of Florida and the Federal government agreed that fishing 

 could continue, in accordance with State laws, unless it was determined to 

 be detrimental to the purposes for which the "monument" was established. If 

 so determined, it would be further regulated following consultation with the 

 State. 



Commercial fishing and lobster-trapping are legal, as is sport fishing, 

 both by hook-and-line and by spear. Conch and lobster may also be taken by 

 divers, provided they are caught by hand or by hand-held net when in season 

 and provided legal limits are not exceeded. Tropical fish collection is not 

 legal. No fish traps are permitted. 



The Park management is also currently experimenting with the use of 

 mooring buoys which mark an area for visitors and offer them an opportunity 

 to tie up to a buoy rather than anchoring in an area which might damage the 

 coral reef. The location of the moorings and educational material about 

 certain unique reefs are discussed in a booklet prepared and distributed by 

 the Biscayne Monument staff. 



The National Park Service at Fort Jefferson National Monument, Dry 

 Tortugas, off Key West, Florida, has prohibited the taking or disturbing of 

 any species of coral, shells, shellfish, sponges, sea anemones or other forms 

 of marine life, with the exception of the recreational catch of spiny lobster 

 ( Panulirus argus ) and conch ( Strombus gigas ) which is limited to 2 per person. 

 The use or possession of spears or gigs is prohibited at all times. 



With regard to enforcement of these other protected areas varying arrange- 

 ments exist. Through a joint management agreement with the State of Florida, 

 NOAA and the USCG, the Key Largo Coral Reef Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp 

 Coral Reef State Park are patrolled cooperatively by State Park Rangers, and 

 the U.S. Coast Guard (see Appendix D-9). Persons found to be in violation of 

 NOAA regulations are notified at the scene with the issuance of a Coast Guard 

 Report of Boarding (CG Form 4100). Evidence is seized by USCG personnel and 

 appropriate statements taken. 



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