News & Notes
December 2009

  Our Amazing Ocean

The Story of Christ of the Abyss,
Our Underwater Statue

Hot Issues

Caribbean Connectivity:
Implications for MPA Management 

In ecological terms, connectivity doesn't refer to how many wireless devices one owns, but rather the exchange of individual fish among geographically separated populations. Scientists study "connectivity" in an attempt to quantify the interconnection among local groups, a topic of considerable importance because of the growing prevalence no-take marine reserves.

Setting up Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks to optimize connectivity is something policymakers grapple with. The phenomenon has been dubbed "The Goldilocks Effect" by Simon Thorrold, senior scientist in the Biology Department of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution: Create an MPA that's too small and too few larvae settle within the MPA to sustain the population. Create an MPA that's too big and all the juveniles remain in the reserves, out of the bounds of commercial fisheries. The trick is to create an MPA network that's "just right."

Nearly all marine organisms move during some period of their lives. Many species move long distances during the first phase of their lives, then settle and remain within a relatively small area or "home range." Other animals routinely roam over large distances but come together for short times each year for mating. Still others migrate collectively from one home range to another and back again for feeding or reproduction. These various types of movements create biological "connections" between different areas of the world's oceans.

Unfortunately, researchers have little more than a rudimentary understanding of the scale over which this connectivity occurs. To effectively manage and protect populations of marine species, we need to understand these biological connections, as well as the connections created by the movements of fishermen, and how they collectively influence the performance of MPAs. If we are to succeed in protecting and sustainably using our marine assets (fisheries, tourism, biodiversity, habitats) for the long term, we need to start thinking beyond our MPA, section of the coast, or island.

Difficulties in exchanging information on lessons learned continue to constrain informed decision-making due to the geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural complexities of the Caribbean region. At the same time, communication among professionals has become progressively more vital. As MPAs continue to be proposed and implemented, the efficient exchange of information is now more critical than ever.

One way FKNMS is "connecting" with other MPAs is through CaMPAM (Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Managers Network and Forum). This organization was created to bring together MPA researchers, administrators, managers and educators from governmental entities, organizations and the private sector in an inclusive network to exchange ideas and lessons learned. Source: ScienceDaily (Mar. 31, 2009)

The first and only Florida Keys Environmental Event Calendar is up and running! This community-wide resource allows any environmentally-related organization or group to set up an account and post events. We hope it will be THE place to find great activities to both support and celebrate our precious local natural resources.

The purpose of the calendar is to make the public aware of all environmental events in the Florida Keys that either educate or provide a forum on many of the environmental issues in our area. Most are free, some require registration and all are to promote the understanding and movement towards a sustainable environment here.

• Sponsored by a nonprofit or for-profit organization.
• A conference, workshop, seminar, institute, or other major event, festivals, workshops, hearings, public meetings, national TV, volunteer activities or events intended primarily for the general public.
• Regional in scope.
• Support environmental activities in the FKNMS and surrounding Monroe County.
• Online OR live events can be posted.

It's easy to add your event to the most comprehensive environmental calendar of events listing in the Florida Keys. The first step is to request an account. Once you have been approved and have selected a username and password, you can "add your group's event to our calendar." Once your event has been approved by an administrator, it will be displayed on the calendar in the appropriate location.

Please note: All submissions are subject to review. Submission does not guarantee publication. SFFFK reserves the right to select and edit the listings submitted for publication. For more information or to request an account, contact the calendar administrator at calendar@sanctuaryfriends.org.

A proposed rule will prohibit the discharge of sewage from vessels into FKNMS waters and require vessel sewage tanks be locked to prevent discharges within sanctuary boundaries. Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted through February 17.

Vessel sewage discharge has been prohibited in state waters of the sanctuary since their designation as a No Discharge Zone by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2002. Although 65 percent of the sanctuary is within state waters, the remaining federal waters -- with the exception of specially-protected zones -- currently permit vessel sewage discharge.

Comments may be submitted electronically via the eRulemaking Portal (FDMS Docket Number NOAA- NOS-2009-0181) or by mail to Sean Morton, Acting Superintendent, FKNMS, 33 East Quay Road, Key West, Florida 33040.

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