A Guide to Marine Resource Agencies in Florida
| Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection (FDEP) online to answer resource questions & provide information | DEPINFO@dep.state.fl.us |
| Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) - a protected area surrounding the Florida Keys. Contact any FKNMS office for detailed info about Sanctuary regulations and "no take" zones which exist within FKNMS boundaries. |
Upper Keys (305) 852-7717 Middle Keys (305) 743-2437 Lower Keys (305) 292-0311 |
| Florida Marine Patrol - resource & wildlife violations response | 1-800-DIAL-FMP or dial *FMP on cell phone or (305) 289-2320 |
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FDEP Resource Protection Lines Enviro-Line Fish "ID" tag Fish "kills" |
1-800-828-9338 1-800-367-4461 1-800-636-0511 |
| FDEP Bureau of Emergency Response - hazardous material and oil spill prevention and response. | (305) 289-2310 (daytime) or 24 hr. line 1-800-320-0519 or 1-800-DIAL-FMP |
| FDEP Florida Marine Research Institute South Florida Regional Lab - conducts research in marine biology and fisheries. | Marathon (305) 289-2330 |
| US Coast Guard - monitors VHF Channel 16 for boating emergencies; Coast Guard Auxiliary conducts voluntary boat safety inspections and boater education classes. |
Islamorada 664-4044 Marathon 743-6778 Key West 292-8856 |
| Everglades National Park (including Florida Bay) & Dry Tortugas National Park - contact park headquarters for information on recreational fishing. Use of personal watercraft and the havesting of spiny lobsters prohibited within park boundaries. | 24 hour emergency switchboard (305) 242-7740; general info (305) 242-7700. |
| FDEP Aquatic Preserves (Lignumvitae Key, Coupon Bight, Card Sound, Biscayne Bay) | Marathon (305) 289-2336 |
| John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park | Key Largo (305) 451-1202 |
| Long Key state Recreation Area | Long Key (305) 664-4815 |
| Bahia Honda State Park | Big Pine Key (305) 872-2353 |
| National Wildlife Refuges of the Florida Keys - use of personal watercraft, airboats, seaplane landings, and waterskiing prohibited within the boundaries of Great White Heron and Key West NWR's. | Key Deer NWR office (305) 872-2239 |
| Fish kills & diseased or deformed animals - provide description and location, call RBAT Rapid Biotic Assessment Team. | RBAT (305) 289-9664 or (305) 289-4282. |
| Boat Groundings- provide location of incident | 1-800-DIAL-FMP or FKNMS |
| Oil spills & other hazardous materials including abandoned or beached containers of oil or other hazardous materials. | 1-800-DIAL-FMP or 1-800-320-0519 or (305) 289-2310 anytime |
| Corals/Sea Fans protected from harvest in state and federal waters; subject to damage from groundings/boat propellers, anchors. | 1-800-DIAL-FMP |
| Coral bleaching & coral disease - provide detailed description and location | RBAT (305) 289-9664 or 289-4282 |
| Spiny lobster recreational fishing - fishing license & stamp required; Stone crab/spiny lobster commercial fisheries - licenses required | 1-800-ASK-FISH or FMP or FKNMS |
| Trap violations (lobster or stone crab) report to FMP | 1-800-Dial-FMP or *FMP (cell) |
| Recreational Fishing - Check with FMP for detailed information about saltwater fishing licenses and fishing regulations. Bag limits and size restrictions apply to many fish species. | 1-800-ASK-FISH,
or
1-800-DIAL-FMP or *FMP |
| Tropical reef fish - many have size and catch limitations; collecting is not permitted in SPA's, Everglades National Park or state park waters. | 1-800-ASK-FISH or 1-800-DIAL-FMP or *FMP |
| Queen conch/Bahama sea star - harvesting is prohibited by law. | 1-800-DIAL-FMP or *FMP |
| Sea turtles- protected under Endangered Species Act, for rescue call | 1-800-DIAL-FMP or *FMP |
| Manatees, Bottle nose dolphins - protected under Marine Mammal Act. For rescue call | 1-800-DIAL FMP or *FMP |
| Mangrove Tree Trimming & coastal construction activities such as dredging and dock construction | For info or to report violations call FDEP at (305) 289-2310 |
| Seagrasses - subject to damage from groundings and propellers | 1-800-DIAL-FMP or *FMP |
| Red Tide & harmful algal "blooms" associated with discolored water and sometimes fish kills, call RBAT Rapid Biotic Assessment. | RBAT (305) 289-9664 or 289-4282 |
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Cold Water Affecting Fishing Destinations in South Florida Some fishing guides must adjust their fishing destinations to take advantage of the fish that can handle the colder temperatures. |
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