We soon welcome three new NOAA Divers to the FKNMS family, including @MissionIconicReefs Stewardship Manager Chandler Wright, and two sanctuary volunteers: Rachel Bowman and Jean Gruss. Unit Dive Manager Dr. Aaron Macy supervised with Patrick Vandenabeele and Martin Boynton.

Our Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting takes place Tuesday in Marathon, featuring the Adaptive Management Working Group, water quality monitoring, online buoy map, Eco-Discovery Center digital twin, plus an update from Sanctuaries' Director John Armor: https://t.co/qjSFnWfZ4e

The purpose of #NOAACoralsWeek is to educate the public about the value of #coralreefs, their role as diverse marine habitats, and the critical conservation efforts needed to protect them. We say these images are a good start! #NOAA #FloridaKeys #ILoveCoral #EcoTravel

Why are we making the investment in Mission: Iconic Reefs? Here’s why. #NOAA #FloridaKeysNationalMarineSanctuary #FloridaKeys #ILoveCoral #EcoTravel #ConsciousTravel

Hand it to the kids, and they’ll show us what’s important. For #CoralsWeek we feature Mission: Iconic Reefs participation in @MoteMarineLaboratory’s 2025 Reef Revival Fest, including the kids' drawing of their favorite ocean creatures.

Wanna see how it's done on #CoralsWeek? Our Mission: Iconic Reefs restoration partner, Reef Renewal USA, Inc., outplanted these Orbicella faveolata at Carysfort South in July. By October, they were almost completely fused. Thanks for the photos--and the great work--Shane Weaver!

Key West-based Honest Eco Tours has joined the family of Blue Star operators, based out of slip #3 in Key West’s historic seaport. Learn more: https://t.co/VMXiXT3RXB

#Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Eve, we are grateful for volunteers who contributed over 3,400 Hours in fiscal 2025. Among these volunteers are 21 dedicated docents at the Eco-Discovery Center, two NOAA divers, six interns, and many more outreach, education, and research volunteers. THANK YOU!

Here’s a two-week notice. Plan to join us for the next Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting in Marathon.

There’s so much history beneath the waves, and dive instructors can learn how to properly tell these stories through HADS—Heritage Awareness Diving Seminar. Maritime Heritage colleagues from the sanctuary are on the faculty. Come learn with us. #FloridaKeys #VisitFlorida #Diving

In 1989, three consecutive groundings in Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary jolted the local marine environment. Within months, U.S. Representative Dante Fascell introduced Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Bob Graham.

In 1981, the first mooring buoys were installed at the frequently visited French Reef in Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary as a means to reduce anchor damage to sensitive marine habitats. Today, the sanctuary has over 600 such moorings in the Florida Keys.

Before Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary was established in 1990, NOAA created smaller sanctuaries in the Florida Keys: first at Key Largo in 1975, and then at Looe Key in 1981.

A 1969 oil spill on President Richard Nixon's old stomping grounds near Santa Barbara, CA, led to the creation of the marine sanctuary system that now protects the Florida Keys. #NOAA #FloridaKeysNationalMarineSanctuary #FloridaKeys #ILoveCoral #EcoTravel #ConsciousTravel

November 16, 1990. George H.W. Bush signed the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act into law, forming a new sanctuary that incorporated the preexisting Key Largo and Looe Key sanctuaries to protect 3,800 square miles of Florida Keys waters.

🥳🎂🎉 You’ve come a long way, baby! Sunday marks the 35th anniversary of the creation of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Look for a walk down memory lane next week. #NOAA #FloridaKeysNationalMarineSanctuary #FloridaKeys #ILoveCoral #EcoTravel #ConsciousTravel

We're OPEN FOR BUSINESS again--and HIRING! Visit https://t.co/0Vc89K9XxC, then click "Prospective Employees," and enter the job number in the search field. #MissionIconicReefs #NOAA #FloridaKeysNationalMarineSanctuary #FloridaKeys #ILoveCoral

The U.S. Government is closed & this account will not be updated. @NOAA websites & social media necessary to protect lives & property WILL be maintained. For critical weather info, visit https://t.co/EKLloE42FN Learn more: https://t.co/9nCIEX9eXX

We’re looking for our next communications manager for when Scott Atwell retires at the end of the year. The job is open now: Visit https://t.co/0Vc89K9XxC; select 'Prospective Employees and search for Job ID: 535916