Coral Reefs off the Florida Keys Get Protection from Large Ships

The advent of globalization has increased international trade and the volume of shipping which supports that trade. More than 40 percent of the world’s commerce passes through the Florida Straights, damaging its fragile coral reef ecosystem. This area has already been weakened through pollution, over fishing, and coastal development. To combat these negative effects, the Bush administration has announced the creation of a protected region, spanning from Biscayne National Park to the Tortugas, in which ships longer than 164 feet cannot anchor and must avoid certain areas altogether. Violators will be fined $100,000 per day. – YaleGlobal