Marine reserve zone awaits regulation

HOMESTEAD, Fla. — This past August, the National Park Service approved the final version of Biscayne National Park’s current General Management Plan, which includes the implementation of marine reserve zone covering 10,502 acres — six percent of the park’s total size.

However, the marine reserve zone will not be implemented until a regulation is issued by the National Park Service.

Biscayne National Park is America’s largest marine park, covering almost 173,000 acres along Florida’s East Coast and much of southern Biscayne Bay. The park is home the world’s third longest coral reef tract, the offshore Florida Reef.

However, according to Biscayne National Park officials, the reef is need of repair, which is where the park’s newest General Management Plan comes into play.

The General Management Plan consisted of eight alternatives, ranging from no-action to actionable items. The eighth alternative was selected as the final alternative, including the implementation of a marine reserve zone covering six percent of the park and 30 percent of the park’s total coral reef population.

The marine reservation establishes a “no-take” policy within the boundaries of the zone, excluding commercial and recreational fishermen from the area. Only visitors who snorkel, dive, or ride a glass-bottom will be permitted in the area.

Map of Biscayne National Park, courtesy of the National Park Service.

However, the final version of the General Management Plan was met with strong opposition by some.

On, Aug. 3, 2015, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources and the U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a joint oversight hearing in nearby Homestead, Fla., titled, “Restricted Access at Biscayne National Park and Implications for Fishermen, Small Businesses, the Local Economy and Environment.”

Additionally, three Florida Republican members of Congress introduced a bill to “preserve access to public waters and maintain the vital role of States in fisheries management decisions.”

No fishing is allowed at this location at the Visitor Center at Convoy Point, Biscayne National Park (Photo by Briana Scott).

According to Matthew Johnson, a park ranger and spokesperson for Biscayne National Park, park managers were at the hearing.

“A hearing was held and the park superintendent was there and he participated. No other hearings have taken place since that one,” Johnson said.

The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans, with no major updates as of yet.

Despite claims from the Republican Congress members, Brian Carlstrom, Biscayne National Park’s superintendent, stated that the National Park Service has been open to receiving comments and feedback from the community and stakeholders.

In a letter written in the Biscayne National Park’s newsletter, in May 2015, Carlstrom stated, “During the past 14 years, the National Park Service held over 22 public workshops and received more than 43,000 public comments.”

Daniel Suman, professor at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science within the department of marine ecosystems and society, expressed his agreement with the superintendent.

“There was a panel to develop a fishery management plan—I was part of that—and there were many different fishers of different kind, recreational and commercial fishermen …. There were many public hearings and they presented their perspective. So they weren’t excluded from the decision-making process at all,” Suman stated.

Some of the marine life at Biscayne National Park (Photo by Marcus Lim). Below, the Fascell Visitor Center at the park (Staff photo).

Expressing similar sentiments with Suman and Carlstrom, Matthew Johnson stated, “We made an effort to involve everyone. It was a process that took 15 years—to develop the general management plan.”

Despite protests from some, the General Management Plan was approved. However, the marine reserve zone will not be placed into effect until a special regulation is issued by the National Park Service. The question that remains now is: when the policies outlined within plan will be implemented?

The projected date is in the next year, but that is subject to change.

According to Biscayne National Park’s General Management Plan, “[i]mplementation of the approved plan would depend on future funding…full implementation of the approved plan could be many years in the future.”

According to Matthew Johnson, the regulation will take place “most likely next year.”

However, Suman expressed some doubts to the regulation being passed next year.

“It depends on the [presidential] election. 2016 is what they say, but of course, there could be a delay, especially during this time,” said Suman.

“If a Democrat wins the election, it will continue as planned — 2016, or maybe there will be a delay for another year, but I doubt it. If a Republican wins the [presidential] election, there could obviously be a great slow down.”

Suman also stated that while local congressmen represent their districts, he does not think that will have much of an impact on the regulation process.

“Our local representatives represent all of us from their districts, but there have been vocal representatives of the recreational fishing lobby,” said Suman. “And I think their effect and impact on the regulation development within the National Park Service, is minimal. I least I hope so.”

According to Suman, the regulation that must be passed by the National Park Service is an internal procedure, but there may be opportunities for the public to voice their opinion.

“But like all federal regulations, there will be drafts and final regulations, so there will be an opportunity for the public to comment—written—any maybe they’ll hold hearings about the regulation,” stated Suman.

According to Suman, other successful marine zones exist throughout South Florida in locations such as, Merritt Island and between Key Biscayne and the Dry Tortugas. Suman stated that, “the largest trophy fish for sports fishermen are generally from that area—around the closed area. And that is probably the result of the “no-fishing” in that relatively large area.”

Suman went on to state that, “so it’s not something new to Florida or the rest of the world. It is just something new for Biscayne National Park. And I think it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Until the special regulation is passed, recreational fishing is still permitted in the area that has been designated a marine zone.

If You Go

• Be sure to plan your trip in advance to explore as much of the park as possible. The park provides guided canoe and kayak tours, holds park-wide events on special days, and provides a bus tour twice a day (leaving from Convoy Point near Homestead, Fla.)
• You can also go snorkeling, diving, camping, and fishing within the park. Be sure to visit the information center at Convoy Point for more information and tips during your visit at the park.
• For more information, please visit the park’s website here.