Government Expands Underwater Kingdom to Save Dying Coral Reefs
Published Date: 1/17/2025
Rule
Summary
NOAA is expanding the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and updating its rules to better protect coral reefs, seagrasses, and other habitats. These changes affect everyone who visits or relies on the sanctuary, aiming to restore and preserve this special place. The new rules kick in after a 45-day review period starting January 17, 2025, with some state-level checks, and they’ll help keep the sanctuary healthy for years to come.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.
Sanctuary expands to 4,539 square miles
NOAA is expanding the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 3,800 square miles to 4,539 square miles to include the Area To Be Avoided (ATBA) regulatory zone and the Tortugas Region. The expansion is part of the final rule published January 17, 2025 and will take effect after the close of a 45-day continuous session of Congress review period that began January 17, 2025.
Cruise ships banned from most discharges
The rule prohibits discharging or depositing any material from a cruise ship while in the sanctuary, except for cooling water. This prohibition is part of the final rule published January 17, 2025 and applies when cruise ships are inside sanctuary waters.
Anchoring bans in SPAs/CAs delayed two years
NOAA is delaying the effective date for the prohibitions on anchoring in Conservation Areas and Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) for two years after the primary rule becomes effective, to allow time to finalize a mooring buoy plan and install buoys. Other CA and SPA regulations become effective after the 45-day congressional review period starting January 17, 2025.
Traditional fishing set as of rule effective date
NOAA defines "traditional fishing" as fishing activities customarily conducted in the sanctuary as of the effective date of this rule. Routine changes to size, bag, or season limits remain considered traditional, but substantial future changes (like new gear types) would not be exempt without a separate rulemaking.
Harvesting marine life requires state permit
Sanctuary regulations incorporate Florida definitions for "marine life species" and "tropical fish," and Sec. 922.163(a)(12) requires that marine life may only be harvested from the sanctuary if authorized by a state permit or exemption. Sec. 922.164(b)(2) prohibits collection of tropical fish from within two specific management areas (formerly Key Largo and Looe Key sanctuaries).
Large-vessel mooring buoy rule delayed to 2027
NOAA delayed the effective date of the large vessel mooring buoy requirement (Sec. 922.163(a)(5)(x)) for two years, making the delayed effective date January 19, 2027. Until that date, large vessels may continue to use regular mooring buoys.
Fishing exceptions removed in some SPAs
The rule eliminates the exception that allowed catch-and-release fishing by trolling in Conch Reef, Alligator Reef, Sombrero Reef, and Sand Key SPAs, and NOAA will stop issuing permits for baitfishing in SPAs. These changes become effective after the 45-day congressional review period unless otherwise delayed as noted.
Live rock aquaculture remains allowed with permits
The final rule maintains an exception allowing live rock aquaculture to continue in the sanctuary if authorized by a Florida Sovereignty Submerged Land Live Rock Aquaculture Lease (Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services and USACE) or a NMFS Aquacultured Live Rock permit. Existing authorization pathways remain in place.
Two nursery restoration areas added
The final rule adds two Nursery Restoration Areas in Federal waters: Key Largo Nursery Restoration Area (~0.07 square miles / 46.8 acres) and Islamorada Nursery Restoration Area (~0.07 square miles / 47.2 acres). These areas were permitted as coral nursery sites after the proposed rule and are included in the final rule.
Derelict-vessel notification and removal timelines clarified
NOAA moved the 24-hour notification and requirement to remove derelict vessels within 72 hours from a definition into the prohibition at Sec. 922.163(a)(5)(viii), clarifying those timelines apply to derelict vessels and vessels at-risk of becoming derelict. This change clarifies enforcement timing within the sanctuary.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17116, Modifications to the Regulations Implementing the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as Amended
The U.S. Department of Labor publishes this final rule to revise its implementing regulations for the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (VEVRAA). These revisions will align the regulations with Executive Order 14173 and remove the VEVRAA regulations' cross-references to the Executive Order 11246 authority. Executive Order 11246 was revoked by Executive Order 14173 on January 21, 2025. This final rule also makes technical revisions to update the VEVRAA regulations' jurisdictional thresholds, which were adjusted for inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council on October 1, 2025.
2026-17115, Modifications to the Regulations Implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended
The U.S. Department of Labor is revising its implementing regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503). The revisions align the regulations with applicable law and recent executive orders, including Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," and Executive Order 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's `Department of Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative."
2026-17114, Rescission of Executive Order 11246 Implementing Regulations
On January 21, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," which revoked Executive Order 11246. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Labor publishes this final rule to rescind the implementing regulations for Executive Order 11246.
2026-17088, Carboxin; Pesticide Tolerances
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of carboxin in or on multiple crops that are discussed later in this document. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), UPL Delaware Inc. submitted a petition to EPA requesting that EPA establish a maximum permissible level for residues of this pesticide in or on the identified commodities.
2026-17120, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; 2026 Commercial Closure of Red Snapper in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings of red snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for red snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the red snapper resource.
2026-17113, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline tilefish resource from overfishing.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-00436, National Volatile Organic Compound Emission Standards for Aerosol Coatings Amendments
The EPA is updating rules for aerosol spray paints to cut down harmful smog-causing chemicals called VOCs. These changes affect companies making or selling aerosol coatings by tightening limits, updating testing, and adding new deadlines starting January 17, 2025. The goal? Cleaner air with smarter, less polluting spray paint formulas—while keeping businesses in the know and on track.
Next: 2025-00550, Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) Implementing Regulations Related to Textile and Apparel Goods, Automotive Goods, and Other USMCA Provisions
Starting March 18, 2025, new rules kick in to make trading textiles, apparel, and cars between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada smoother under the USMCA deal. These rules update how customs handles tariffs, paperwork, and certifications, with some vehicle-related certifications required by May 19, 2025. Businesses involved in these goods should get ready for clearer guidelines and new deadlines that could save time and money.