Markers | |||
18" Mooring Buoy | |||
30" Yellow Sanctuary Buoy | |||
3-5 ft. Spar Buoy | |||
Bottom Type | |||
Rubble | Shallow | ||
Seagrass | Coral | ||
Very Shallow | Island | ||
Sanctuary Areas | |||
Research Only | Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPAs) | ||
Wildlife Management Area |
Ecological Reserve | ||
Existing Management Area |
Davis Reef is a good example of a low-relief transitional reef containing well-developed gorgonian coral. The Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) is located approximately 4nm (7km) southeast of Plantation Key.
The SPA is a small, rectangular area covering approximately 0.2nm2, or about 58 ha. Its presence will help protect the area’s unique deepwater corals.
Davis Reef is easily accessible and heavily used. The area attracts a considerable number of divers from Islamorada, and is also used by recreational fishermen. There is some tropical fish collecting in the rubble areas, and commercial fishing is conducted offshore. There will be little displacement of current users. Because the area is heavily used, it has poor potential for research activities.