The designation of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary by Congress in 1990 was prompted by a series of cumulative events of environmental click image for more...(photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)

In 1989, after three major ship groundings in only 18 days, Congress designated the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. click image for more... (photo: Florida Keys NMS)

In the 1890s , sponging was second only to cigar-making in economic importance in the Florida Keys. Today, commercial sponging still takes place, but on a click image for more... (photo: Scott Larosa)

The commercial fishing industry represents the fourth largest employment sector in Monroe County, comprising nine percent of the work force. The annual commercial harvest of the Florida spiny lobster is estimated at five million pounds. click image for more... (photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)

There are more than 106,000 boats registered in South Florida, making boating one of the most popular activities in the Florida click image for more... (photo: Florida Keys NMS)

Of the 2.5 million visitors to the Florida Keys each year, 17% participate in some type of fishing activity during their visit. Popular click image for more... (photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)

Commercial dive boats offer residents and visitors the opportunity to dive or snorkel on the beautiful coral reefs of the Florida Keys click image for more... (photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)

The Halas Mooring Buoy System, designed by Sanctuary Resource Biologist John Halas, is a way to prevent anchor damage click image for more... (photo: Laura Urian - Florida Keys NMS)

Sanctuary biologists conduct research, coral reef and seagrass damage assessments, and coral reef and seagrass restoration. Damaged by Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, this pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrusn) has been click image for more... (photo: Harold Hudson - Florida Keys NMS)

Scientists from other local, state, regional, and national governmental resource protection agencies, universities, click image for more... (photo: Mike White - Florida Keys NMS)

One of the most popular volunteer research programs in the Keys is the Reef Environmental Education click image for more... (photo:Heather Dine - Florida Keys NMS)

The many miles of shoreline of the Florida Keys collect thousands of pounds of trash and debris washed in by the tides and click image for more... (photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)

Each year, volunteer divers help clean the reef of debris and monofilament line. Divers work in buddy teams with clippers and mesh click image for more... (photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has an extensive list of volunteer opportunities like Team OCEAN click image for more... (photo:Laura Urian - Florida Keys NMS)

The education department of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary takes several programs into the schools each year. click image for more... (photo: Heather Dine - Florida Keys NMS)

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary staff is available to do presentations for local schools and groups click image for more... (photo: Heather Dine - Florida Keys NMS)

Throughout the year, Sanctuary staff participate in dozens of local and regional community events to teach the public about the click image for more... (photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)

Prior to the annual lobster season, this Sanctuary law enforcement officer teaches a youngster the proper way to measure a Florida spiny lobster. (photo: Heather Dine - Florida Keys NMS)

There are 7 Sanctuary Officers on staff who strive to protect the resources through interpretive enforcement. (photo: Paige Gill - Florida Keys NMS)