A red tide event in the Gulf has been killing mnatees and this algae bloom appears headed to the Keys.

A red-tide bloom that has already killed a record number of manatees lingers along the Southwest Florida coast, with some patches being found this week along the mainland Monroe County coast.

Marine scientists in the Florida Keys are sampling local waters for signs of the "Karenia brevis" algae, a naturally occurring organism that becomes a red tide when its concentrations soar.

Posted - Wednesday, March 13, 2013 11:39 AM EDT

Monroe officials have determined that a portion of Islamorada's sewage pipeline to Key Largo that will lie underground beneath Tavernier Creek will not be impacted by the county's controversial interpretation of a federal coastal protection system.

Posted - Wednesday, March 13, 2013 12:30 PM EDT

The ultimate goal is to protect seagrass and the habitat it provides for marine life.

A plan to ban the use of motorboat engines on a third of Florida Bay waters in Everglades National Park drew the attention of Florida Keys backcountry guides this week.

"That took us by surprise," said Kerry Wingo, president of the Key Largo Fishing Guides Association. "It's a lot more drastic than we were anticipating."

Posted - Wednesday, March 06, 2013 10:30 AM EST

The way Key Westers will recycle is expected to change in the next two months as the customary recycling bins in the Southernmost City are replaced with 65-gallon wheeled recycling carts.

Posted - Wednesday, March 06, 2013 10:23 AM EST

Islamorada businesses may be required to recycle their solid waste if recommendations by an ad hoc committee are adopted.

Posted - Wednesday, March 06, 2013 10:23 AM EST

A proposal to restore a 700-foot boat channel to a private development near Duck Key has an endorsement from the Monroe County Planning Commission but conservationists fear the precedent it would set.

Posted - Wednesday, February 27, 2013 11:31 AM EST

By KEVIN WADLOW

A diver is surrounded by marine life that has enveloped the 'Spiegel Grove' since it was sunk off Key Largo 10 years ago. Now the military says allowing its former ships to be used as artificial reefs no longer will happen.

Four military shipwrecks scuttled in Florida Keys waters to attract scuba divers may be among the last of their kind.

Tighter rules on sinking retired military ships as artificial reefs would prevent reef organizations from acquiring ships like the Vandenberg, Spiegel Grove, Duane or Bibb.

Posted - Wednesday, February 06, 2013 09:54 AM EST

The C-111 Spreader Canal Western Project has resulted in clear Florida Bay waters like this, says the South Florida Water Management District.

With $75 million earmarked for the Florida Forever land buying program and another $60 million for the Everglades, Gov. Rick Scott's proposed spending blueprint for the coming year met was with applause from environmentalists encouraged by a seeming recommitment to their causes.

Posted - Wednesday, February 06, 2013 09:30 AM EST

Courtesy NOAA

Established a dozen years ago, the Tortugas Ecological Reserve has turned into a great success, authorities say.

Supporters of the Tortugas Ecological Reserves predicted that creating 151 square miles of no-take waters would lead to larger fish, and more of them. A dozen years later, a new federal study says they were right.

Catches for both recreational anglers and commercial fishing boats have remained steady, says the 164-page report finished in 2012.

Posted - Wednesday, February 06, 2013 06:00 AM EST

Efforts to protect native animals in Florida Keys wildlife refuges will trap feral cats and other unwanted "pests," say federal managers.

Posted - Wednesday, January 30, 2013 11:14 AM EST