Table 21. Excerpts of the anecdotal and historical chronology of events that affected the marine 
environment of the Florida Keys from 1714 to the present prepared by The Nature Conservancy 
(text as found in draft document except for minor editing) [DeMaria (in press)] (cont.). 
Year(s) Event 
1947 
On December 6, the Everglades National Park is established. (It was authorized 
May 10, 1934.) 
1947 or 1948 
1 948 
Large lobster crawl observed off Elliot Key. 
The Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Florida start work on a 
comprehensive plan for flood control in central and south Florida. 
Small local hurricane called ‘Conchita* hits the lower Keys and Key West. 
1948, 1950 
Square wooden lobster traps become popular in the Keys. 
Whitewater Bay, which used to be white and one of the most productive fishing 
grounds, turns brown. 
1949 
1949 
South Florida Water management District is established. 
'Pink gold* shrimp discovered off Tortugas. Beginning of shrimp boom in the 
Florida Keys. 
1 950 
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority expands water lines up the Keys. Population 
starts to shift. 
1950-1955 
Central and South Florida flood control project is begun. East Coast containment 
levy is built. 
Whitewater Bay, which used to be white and one of the most productive fishing 
areas, turns brown. 
1950s 
Researchers from the University of Miami, led by ecologist Durbin Tabb, warn 
of environmental changes caused by the shortage of fresh water in the Florida 
Bay region. 
Rainfall stays the same (55 in) in the Everglades area'. Much water flows out 
Shark River slough. 
Organized efforts in mosquito control begin. Monroe County provides diesel- 
based mosquito spray for residents. 
Artificial sponges are developed, commercial crawfish traps are being used in 
the Keys. 
Coral reef looks "spectacular*. High water turbidity due to the large amounts of 
dredge and fill projects in the Keys. 
Navy begins aerial mosquito spraying. 
Droughts and fires in the Everglades prompt Florida officials to store water 
during wet seasons for later use by urban and agricultural interests. In the 
years since, no high fluorescent bands occur in corals. 
Stable population of scallops located in the basin between Rabbit Key and Man of 
War Key. 
In the fall and winter, a reoccurring, short-lived algae bloom near Buchanan and 
1 952 
Arsenicker Keys. 
Big clam bed located off Shark River that reaches out to twelve feet of water 
(Quahog clams?). 
Late, mechanical pullers come to be used in the lobster fishery. 
Monroe County Mosquito Control District created. 
Last known Caribbean monk seal in the Florida Keys killed near Key West. 
1954 
Levee is built from Lake Okeechobee to Miami to keep Everglades water to the 
west of the city. 
87 
