Visitors who “look before they book” can help sustain the only barrier coral reef in the continental United States — and virtually all elements of the Florida Keys’ marine environment.
Sarah Fangman, superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, is dedicated to protecting the Keys’ treasured marine environment and preserving it for future generations.
That’s the message the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has for travelers eager to enjoy Keys fishing, diving and snorkeling trips: look carefully when booking, and choose a sanctuary-designated Blue Star operator.
The sanctuary covers 3,800 square miles of turquoise waters surrounding the island chain, including the coral reef that parallels it — and the Blue Star program was created to help protect and preserve that treasured underwater world.
Blue Star is a voluntary education and recognition partnership for dive, snorkel and fishing operators who are dedicated to promoting responsible and sustainable practices — while also enhancing visitors’ understanding, appreciation and protection of the Keys’ marine environment.
“Through education they provide, Blue Star operators are transforming visitors into stewards who understand and care about environmental challenges facing our waters, reefs and sea life,” said Sarah Fangman, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary superintendent. “They’re more inclined to spend time participating in coral nursery dives, ocean cleanups, fish surveys and other activities that help the Keys during their visits.”
Passionate underwater enthusiast Dan Dawson owns Horizon Divers, an environmentally responsible Blue Star-certified enterprise in Key Largo, with his wife Mollie.
Local recreational fishing, dive and snorkel charter operators aren’t just a vital part of the Keys’ economy — they can also be stewards who educate their clients in sustainable use and conservation of the region’s waters and marine life.
Blue Star operators help lessen stress on the Florida Keys’ coral reef ecosystem and protect fisheries resources through modeling and teaching responsible dive, snorkel and fishing behaviors to their clients.
“We talk to them more about not touching things with their fin tips or their hands, maintain better neutral buoyancy, be very aware of their environment and where they’re going in the water,” said Dan Dawson, co-owner of Horizon Divers in Key Largo. “Every day we go out, we do a really good briefing about what the Blue Star program is and what it does.”
To be endorsed as Blue Star, operators are required to follow legal and ethical standards as well as conservation measures. They’re also expected to continue learning through sanctuary and community educational opportunities, and participate in conservation activities.
“The Blue Star fishing guides create more than just a fishing trip,” said Will Benson, a premier guide who owns World Angling in the Lower Keys. “They create a memorable experience here in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and give the folks that go out fishing with them a sense of where they are, why it’s special, why it’s important — and frankly, a really great fish story to tell at the end of the day.”
Paddling among mangrove forests is a popular kayaking activity in the protected waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. (Photo by Steve Bly, Florida Keys News Bureau)
In fact, Blue Star operators play a vital role as ambassadors for environmentally sound on-the-water practices.
Their insights and example can inspire untold numbers of visitors to enjoy adventures in the Keys’ marine environment, while also having a positive impact on its preservation for future generations.
So visitors who “look before they book” and select Blue Star operators for their water-based activities can be assured that those operators are dedicated to reef sustainability, habitat conservation and proper fishing, diving and snorkeling etiquette.
For more information about the Blue Star program, watch a brief video here. To access a list of Blue Star diving and fishing operators, just download the free Marine Sanctuary Explorer mobile app (available at Apple and Google stores) or visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov/bluestar/.
