Marine Reserve Approved For Biscayne Nat'l Park
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - Biscayne National Park has been given approval by the National Park Service to create a marine reserve inside the park.
Ninety-five percent of the 172,000-acre park is under water. The planned 10,500-acre "no fishing" reserve covers about 6 percent of park waters and less than 30 percent of its reefs.
The park service's regional director said the need is clear to restore the park's coral reefs and improve visitor experiences.
Critics say the reserve will hurt fishing businesses reliant on the park's waters. Park officials say the reserve will allow the reefs to recover, which will lure bigger fish and enhance the experiences of people snorkeling, diving or viewing the waters from glass-bottom boats.
A park spokesman says implementation of the reserve depends on funding and staffing.
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