Endangered and Invasive Marine Species

The Florida Atlantic University Diving Safety Program supports the conservation and protection of the oceanic and natural environment. It is the policy to help support local, state and national non-profit and governmental agencies which provide tangible natural resource protection services or programs.

Whenever possible, FAU scientific divers should report observation of any endangered or invasive species to the appropriate agencies. To be the most helpful, data should include the observation, the date, species if known, location (GPS coordinates if available), size and number.

Three animals are of particular local interest and can be reported directly to FWC or the other interested organizations listed below.

• Lionfish anywhere in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico or Caribbean
• Elkhorn and Staghorn Coral in Palm Beach County or northward
• Sea Turtles anywhere

Other interested agencies include Palm Beach County Reef Rescue, NOAA, Reef Relief, Reef Check, Reef.Org or Sea Turtles.Org.

Find out what you can do about: