Latest News

Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys has partnered with Marathon Biodiesel in an effort to reduce diesel use and greenhouse gas emissions in our fragile bay and ocean. The use of diesel in vehicles and vessels is a major contributor of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which scientists are convinced is a major element contributing to climate change and ocean acidification.

Marathon Biodiesel owner Jeff Lillie is a former commercial fisherman and has invested his life savings into this environmentally friendly business, which will have a symbiotic relationship for your restaurant and the environment.

Waste vegetable oil produced as a byproduct of frying food is cleaned locally to produce clean burning biodiesel. Tens of thousands of gallons of cooking oil is shipped into the Keys annually for cooking and then hauled out of the Keys by diesel burning trucks to be shipped overseas. There is demand in the Keys for biodiesel for use in local commercial fishing and charter boats, meaning the cooking oil used in the Keys will be turned into the clean burning biodiesel used in the Keys, and with your help, eliminating excess waste.

The Pew Environment Group assembled a team of 18 preeminent ocean scientists and other leading experts to identify strategies and specific actions for a successful recovery of the Gulf of Mexico. Their new report, A Once and Future Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem, presents this working group’s recommendations for recovering Gulf resources and restoring this natural system.
The report recommends going beyond the traditional restoration approach that targets specific habitats or species damaged by the oil. Instead, it focuses on the Gulf of Mexico as a whole because it is a complex and continuously changing system that must support the needs of plants, wildlife and humans alike. This inclusive approach is the only way the Gulf can truly recover and thrive in an unpredictable future.

Download the Executive Summary (PDF)
Download the Report (PDF)

Acceptable capture techniques: use nets, spears, or slurp guns, but be aware of local fishing regulations in regards to where fishing is allowed and what kind of gear is permitted.  You can download FKNMS's spearfishing brochure here.

As a general guideline, in areas where hook and line fishing is allowed, you can collect lionfish with hand nets.  In areas where spearfishing is permitted, lionfish can be harvested by spear.

Throughout Pennekamp Park, collecting lionfish by hand nets only is allowed and you must have a permit.

June 5, Eco-Discovery Center, Key West
FKNMS will celebrate World Oceans Day early with a free all day Environmental Film Series. Doors open at 11 am; the first movie begins at noon and the final film starts at 6 pm. Seven films in total. 
Click here for more information.

Click Here to View Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys Decade in Review

A Look Ahead
     In October 2010, scientists convened for the first-ever conference devoted exclusively to science and management of Florida Keys marine ecosystem. The conference highlighted the considerable progress made toward effective management of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary over its 20-year history and the necessity that high-quality, comprehensive, and bold science serve as the basis for management action.
     To this end, in 2011, the sanctuary will embark on its annual coral health and disease research cruise. These annual surveys, which occur at fixed locations each year, provide information on the connections between human-induced and environmental stressors and coral health. Collected data will provide reef managers with information to make effective policy decisions to protect and conserve coral reefs in the region. With over a decade’s worth of information, this annual monitoring provides a long-term data set used to compare trends in reef health over time, which in turn contributes to management decisions and directs future research priorities.
     Supporting Jobs, Communities and Culture Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects the third largest coral barrier reef ecosystem in the world. This habitat provides a unique and valuable setting for a multitude of recreational and commercial activities for the more than 70,000 year-round residents of the surrounding Monroe County and for approximately four million annual visitors. Each year, residents spend an estimated $114 million on recreational activities such as fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, wildlife viewing, and boating; visitors spend $2 billion on these types of activities. Commercial fisheries, including shrimp, spiny lobster, stone crab and fish such as Spanish mackerel, account for five to eight percent of the total income or jobs in the Florida Keys.
     NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is committed to supporting lives and livelihoods across the nation and in sanctuary communities through socioeconomic research and monitoring to understand the economic and social drivers of sanctuary resources and imporve management practices.  Click here for the full report.

Fishing and diving, commercial and recreational, are the lifeblood of the Florida Keys. Our offshore waters, the coral reefs, the nearshore waters, and the vast expanses of Florida Bay are home to one of the most diverse, beautiful, and productive marine ecosystems on earth. This ecosystem is the basis of our economy, our culture, and our future. Few would dispute this. And to whom do these incredible riches belong to? Why to all of us of course.

And that is the problem. There is a law of human nature that was defined by Garrett Hardin in a 1968 article in Science magazine. He termed it “The Tragedy of the Commons” and described it with the simple phrase, “Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.” It means that if there is a valuable resource that is open to everyone then “everyone” will exploit that resource, renewable or un-renewable, until it no longer exists. Does that apply to us here in the beautiful Florida Keys, to our coral reefs, to our near shore waters, to our fish and lobsters?  Click here to read more . . .

What is Friends In Focus?
Is a monthly film series and seminars co-sponsored by SANCTUARY FRIENDS FOUNDATION OF THE FLORIDA KEYS and the Marathon U.S. Sail and Power Squadron that revolves around marine life and diving that counts. Boaters, snorklers, divers and natural history buffs are invited to entertaining films, presentations by guest speakers, join informal discussions, and enjoy some laid-back, keys-Style fun with friends who share your passions.
Come out and Celebrate Winter with the first in a series riveting films, that will not only feed your mind but your soul.

November 11, 2010 is our next set of short films.  Click here for more information.

The Monroe County Recycling Coordinator Colleen Murphy has put out important update on recycling your electronics, click here to learn more.

Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys Presents: “Understanding and Action to Preserve What We Love - An Environmental Film Series” click here for more information on this weeklong event.

PLEASE NOTE: THE FILM ON FRIDAY IS  -  CANCELED

In celebration of Eco Week Sanctuary Friends is hosting a free Eco Film Festival from November 1-7, 2010.  We hope to see you there.

FREE Climate Action Day Movie
Oct. 10 in  Marathon

Join Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys and Marathon Sail and Power Squadron, in a global 350.org “10-10-10” event with the showing of two free film FUEL.
FUEL
The world is addicted to oil. It’s time for an intervention. A powerful docmentary from Josh Tickell showing America's addiction to and reliance on oil. Change your fuel … Change the world.
Being shown in Marathon for the first time ever! Presented in conjuction with the Marathon Sail & Power Squadron.
Date: Oct. 10
Time: 4:00 Social, 4:30 Movie
Location: the Brady Building, 12 Loggerhead Lane, Marathon (behind the Panda House restaurant).

Friends in Focus is a monthly film / seminar series co-sponsored by Sanctuary Friends Foundation and the Marathon Sail and Power Squadron that revolves around marine life and Diving / Boating that Counts.  Boaters, snorkelers, divers and natural history buffs are invited to entertaining films and presentations by guest speakers, join informal discussions, and enjoy some laid-back, Keys-style fun with friends who share your passion.

FREE Climate Action Day Movie
Oct. 10 in Key West
Join Sanctuary Friends Foundation of the Florida Keys
in a global 350.org “10-10-10” event with the showing of free film.
The Age of Stupid
This climate blockbuster film is about the scientific projections of a 2055 world if we continue to do nothing to address climate change. First screening in the Florida Keys!
Date: Oct. 10
Time: three showings! 10 am, 2 pm, 4 pm
Location: Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center, 33 E. Quay Rd., Key West

Recycling just got easier as lots of new items are now accepted in the areas served by Waste Management, Marathon Garbage Service, Keys Sanitary Services and Ocean Reef Solid Waste.  
Plastic bottles and containers marked with the recycling symbol triangle and numbers 1-7 will now be accepted by Waste Management’s Materials Recycling Facility in Pembroke Pines.  Recently upgraded sorting capabilities will utilize the new additions to produce pallets out of the recycled plastic.  Even plastic caps and lids are also now being accepted for recycling purposes.  All recyclables should be empty and reasonably clean when placed in your bin; it improves marketability and helps control pest problems.  Since most plastics are derived from non-renewable, non-biodegradable petroleum products, recyclable plastics are among the most important items to deposit in your bin.  Regular recycling of plastics also helps reduce litter in our community.  Click here to read the entire list of other items that Waste Management is accepting.

Once again Miami Seaquarium is offering help to non profits in our area.  Click here for a 20% off coupon for up to 6 people.  And for every admission Miami Seaquarium is giving Sanctuary Friends $5.  Hurry this coupon expires 12/17/10.