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 
1975-1976 
Coral bleaching observed on some patch reefs of the lower Keys in Hawk's 
Channel. 
1976 
A state report says that the individual lobster catches are down but the total 
take of lobster in the Keys has actually increased. 
1 977 
Federal fishery councils are formed. 
June, the harvest of fire coral, hard coral, and sea fans prohibited in Federal 
waters under the Continental Shelf Act (struck down in Court in 1979). 
October, the UN designates the Everglades National Park an International 
Biosphere Reserve. 
Hard freeze, considered to be the last real cold spell. Cold water fish die-off, 
staghorn coral die-off in several shallow waters areas including the Tortugas. 
1977-1978 
1978 
Shrimpers notice a significant lower catch. It is also an extremely dry year. 
Red algae bloom observed south and west of Cape Sable. 
Key West Coast Guard opens. 
1978 or 1979 
Summertime, Zestra Barrel sponges and other large sponges in Big Pine Key 
Shoals die off. 
1979 
October, Everglades National Park is designated a World Heritage Site. 
Work on a new and improved road and bridge system is begun in Monroe County. 
Area south and southwest of Cape Sable and west of Sand Key is a lush 
seagrass area (this is the area to be called the Dead Zone in the late 1980's by 
commercial fishers). 
Halodule seagrass beds in northeast Florida Bay replaced by turtle grass. 
The development of macro algae blooms starts in west Florida Bay 
The use of Lorans becomes popular in the Keys. 
1979-1981 
1980 
Electric reels in use. 
April to June, the Mariel Boatlift results in an influx of Cuban exiles to the 
Keys. 
June, very hot August, canal water temperatures near 94°F. Fish are on the 
surface on their sides (possibly due to oxygen depletion). Some minor coral 
bleaching. 
1980-1985 
1980s 
A lot of mullet caught in Florida Bay have 'tumors* on them. 
Early, the water in Hawk's Channel starts becoming ’dirty*. 
Drug money flows into the Keys; development increases; more commercial 
boats, commercial gear, and recreational speed boats. 
Short-lived green algae blooms observed in the water column off Marquesas. 
Improvements are made to canals surrounding agricultural areas. Water 
management changed. Reduced deer herd in conservation areas. 
1 981 
Middle 1980s, significant increase in the population of the Keys. 
Middle 1980s, an increase in moonjellies is observed throughout the Keys. 
Water clarity in west Florida Bay starts to decline. 
Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary is created. 
1981 or 1982 
1981-1986 
New Seven Mile Bridge is finished. FKAA water line capacity triples. 
Pea green colored water observed at Rabbit Key Basin. 
Decline of western Florida was gradual. 
90 
