Monroe County, including the Florida Keys, is an archipelago of islands that extends over 200 miles southwest from the southern point of the Florida Peninsula. The Florida Keys are contained within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary which was established in 1990 to protect the extensive network of coral reefs that stretch along the southern boundary of the island chain. The area is home to one of the most valuable commercial fisheries in the country, typically ranking fourth to sixth in the nation in terms of value of landed product. Our major fisheries include the spiny lobster, shrimp, and stone crab as well as sponges and finfish (snappers, mackerels, and groupers). Likewise the Keys have a large for-hire offshore charter and inshore flats guide-boat fishing fleets and over 100 dive boat operations to serve the 2 million tourists that come to the area annually primarily for fishing or diving. The Sea Grant marine extension program is active in many areas related to boating, fishing and diving but concentrates on working with industry and government agencies to address resource management issues.

Outreach Programs

• Florida Bay Education Project
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Sentinel Fisheries Lobster Project

Specialization

• Marine resource management
• Seafood quality and safety
• Spiny lobster ecology

Educational Background