WHAT’S APP? MARINE SANCTUARY EXPLORER, THAT’S WHAT. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is a vast marine ecosystem, but its 3,800 square miles can now fit into the palm of your hand thanks to a new mobile application called Marine Sanctuary Explorer. The free app will help users of the sanctuary do their part to protect the unique Keys environment by promoting responsible recreation and providing real-time information about sanctuary rules and regulations, as well as points of interest. “It’s as if a sanctuary team member is riding along with you as a guide,” says Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Sarah Fangman. “Users of every experience level will find this tool invaluable for safely exploring the sanctuary’s protected waters, whether they’ve been here for years or planning their first visit.” Packed with facts, Marine Sanctuary Explorer describes the more than 50 marine zones located within the sanctuary, with easy-to-read guidelines that communicate activities allowable in each managed area. The project was funded by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. "Marine Sanctuary Explorer makes the Florida Keys more accessible to visitors while helping them recreate responsibly and protect its resources for future generations,” says Kris Sarri, the foundation’s president and CEO. “The app highlights points of interest such as the famous shipwreck trail and allows visi-
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FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
tors to tag destinations by their activities such as snorkeling, swimming, fishing or boating. It features animals and habitats commonly found in the Florida Keys and interpretive stories build a learning connection to protecting them.” Residents and tourists can use the app before, during and after a sanctuary visit, with features that include: • Allowing devices to access locations for customized exploration • Using an interactive map to geo-locate current position and points of interest • Bookmarking favorite and new points of interest to explore • Identifying experienced Blue Star guides who lead sanctuary experiences • Browsing a library of resources on animals and habitats specific to the sanctuary • Guidelines on how to safely explore the protected waters of the sanctuary • Accessing content for viewing offline “We have long heard constituent desires for a solution to navigating our complex set of regulations,” says Fangman. “This app is a handy educational tool that will protect cherished resources that fuel the Keys’ economy, providing a layer of safety for boaters and also the sanctuary we’re here to protect.”
