Tourism tax dollars are helping protect some of the Florida Keys’ most valuable natural resources, with the installation of 18 new mooring buoy anchors at three popular reef sites within Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The Monroe County Tourist Development Council awarded a $90,000 grant to the Marine Preservation Society of the Florida Keys for the project, which added eight new buoy anchors in Marathon at Sombrero Key Reef and six at Coffins Patch near Marathon, along with four at Looe Key Reef in the Lower Keys. The project was completed for $70,000 following a competitive bidding process, with Pearl Beach Construction Company performing the work.
The anchors provide the underwater foundation for mooring buoys that allow boaters to secure their vessels without dropping anchors directly onto sensitive coral reef habitat. The system helps reduce damage to corals, seagrass and other marine resources while providing reef-friendly access for residents and visitors.
“This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when local partners invest in protecting the natural resources that make the Florida Keys such a special destination,” said Sara Rankin, volunteer director of the Marine Preservation Society. “The Tourist Development Council’s support helps ensure that visitors and residents can continue to enjoy these reefs while reducing the risk of damage from vessel anchoring.”
The highly visible mooring buoys also serve as an on-the-water reminder of the role boaters can play in protecting Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
“Tourism dollars paid by our visitors come back into the Florida Keys in many ways, and this is one both residents and visitors can see and experience firsthand,” said Kara Franker, president and CEO of Visit Florida Keys & Key West. “These mooring anchors help protect the reefs that are so important to our environment, our economy and our way of life, while giving boaters a responsible way to enjoy them. This is exactly the kind of investment that benefits the Florida Keys for the long term.”
In fiscal year 2026, over $9.5 million visitor-paid dollars was awarded for tourism-related infrastructure projects.
Over the most recent five-year period, visitor-generated tax revenue has supported $5.2 million for coral restoration and the marine sanctuary, in addition to investments in beaches, tourism-related attractions, cultural programs, community events and other projects throughout Monroe County.
