Protect Coral Reefs in the City of Key West by Limiting Cruise Ships in Key West

In November, City of Key West voters will have the opportunity to vote to only allow smaller, safer and environmentally friendly ships into dock in the City of Key West.

The ballot measure seeks to limit the number of persons disembarking from cruise ships to a total of 1,500 persons per day, give priority to cruise lines with the best environmental and health records and prohibit cruise ships with a capacity of 1,300 or more persons from disembarking. 

For years the impact of the cruising industry on coral reefs has been studied and evaluated, in the City of Key West cruise ships are damaging the already fragile Florida Keys eco-system. The Florida Keys Chapter is now seeking to place limits to protect their valuable coral reefs. 

Due to the size of the port and channel, in Key West large cruise ships kick up more sediment and silt because of the shallow ship channel. Locals have noted what seems to be chronic clouds of drifting sediment; where there used to be 100ft visibility in some areas, there is little to none. When the silt and sediment are kicked up, they limit the amount of light coral can recieve which impacts their ability to photosynthesize, this silt has also been documented to kill protected baby conch, lobster, and stone crab.

If passed, this meassure will result in a 95% decrease in cruise ship visits to Key West, giving the existing coral reef and wildlife a chance to return to it's previously healthy state.

Update: On November 3rd, City of Key West voters decided that safer, smaller ships was the correct decision to help protect Coral reefs and the local environment!