NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary recently welcomed Boy Scouts of America-National High Adventure Sea Base of Islamorada, Fla. as the newest participant in the sanctuary’s Blue Star education and conservation program.

Launched in 2009, Blue Star recognizes dive and snorkel operators working to protect the Florida Keys coral reef ecosystem by promoting responsible diving and snorkeling practices and educating the public about the impact human interactions can have on the marine environment. Unlike some of the causes of reef decline, such as climate change, damage to reefs from diving and snorkeling is considered easily preventable.

Home to the third-largest barrier coral reef in the world, the protected waters of the Florida Keys attract millions of visitors each year and contribute an estimated $2 billion in annual tourist revenue. The reef’s close proximity to land and an abundance of boat operators in the Keys make it easily accessible to both novice snorkelers and seasoned divers.

“The Blue Star program complements the Boy Scout’s efforts to teach sustainability and conservation to youth,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “The young men and women who participate in the Sea Base dive program are our future leaders and will be carrying on the work of protecting these fragile coral reefs for future generations.”

Blue Star operators are required to attend training annually on issues affecting coral reefs, sanctuary regulations and coral reef etiquette – and, in turn, educate their customers by incorporating the information into certification classes and dive briefings. They also must offer conservation-related dive courses and participate in activities such as fish counts and reef clean-ups. Blue Star now recognizes 21 dive businesses in the Florida Keys, with several more scheduled to be recognized in 2016.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadow, mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the State of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us at floridakeys.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridakeysnoaagov.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.