Florida Coral Rules and Regulations

For boating and fishing regulations in the Florida Keys visit the "regulations and enforcement" section of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Web site.

For boating and fishing regulations in other areas of Florida visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Web site.

In the state of Florida there are specific rules governing the commercial, nonlethal harvest of marine life. Throughout the state of Florida, the collection of stony corals, fire corals, and the octocorals Gorgonia flabellum and G. ventalina (common sea-fans) is prohibited. The collection of octocoral species is restricted. The harvest of live-rock, substrate with living organisms attached, is illegal unless harvested at a licensed aquaculture area. Additionally, any harvest of the long-spined sea urchin, Diadema antillarum, is prohibited.

For information on the commercial collection of marine life view the FWRI Web article "Marine Life and Tropical Ornamentals." New rules for the nonlethal harvest of marine life go into effect July 1, 2009.