National Park Service and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Joint Statement on Biscayne National Park’s General Management Plan

Date: May 13, 2013
Contact: Brian Carlstrom, 305-230-1144
Contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-410-4943

Representatives from the State of Florida, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the National Park Service (NPS) met in early May to continue consulting on Biscayne National Park's General Management Plan. Partner agencies made significant progress developing science-based adaptive management strategies that could achieve the visitor experience goals for Biscayne National Park as described in the 2011 Draft General Management Plan. We considered innovative approaches to accommodate all types of visitor experiences. New strategies may be incorporated into a supplemental plan that the National Park Service expects to release this fall for public comment. Strategies were developed within an adaptive management framework that would allow for fine-tuning based on the level of success achieved after the plan is implemented.

According to Biscayne National Park Superintendent Brian Carlstrom, "As an agency with regulatory and enforcement responsibilities in Biscayne National Park, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to be a key partner in the park's planning efforts. I am encouraged by our joint progress in developing consistent management approaches for a special recreation zone." Both the State and the NPS agree on the importance of restoring and preserving a portion of the park's coral reef while continuing to offer unparalleled recreational opportunities to Florida's residents and visitors.

In addition to collaborating on the park's General Management Plan, Biscayne National Park and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently renewed an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together for the next two years to facilitate the management, protection and scientific study of the fishery resources within Biscayne National Park via the joint agency Biscayne National Park Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

For further information, please contact: Biscayne National Park Superintendent Brian Carlstrom at 305-230-1144; or Amanda Nalley, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 850-410-4943.