Exploring the Key’s Waterways
Key Biscayne has many inlets that provide outlets to Biscayne Bay for sea life such as sharks, manatees, and numerous species of other fish. In addition, the inlets serve as entry points to docking areas for personal boats ranging from sailboats to power boats, and small (order of 10 feet) to large (order of 150 feet).
The inlets provide recreational opportunities for both residents of and visitors to the Key. A popular pastime is dropping anchor and interacting with other boaters on the shallow sandbars located on the Bay-side of the Key.
Sightseeing on the inlets of the Key is another popular recreational use of the Island’s waterways. Boats anchoring either alone or rafting with other boats are also a common sight in the Key’s waterways, often with boaters lounging in the water.
Hazards are numerous in the waterways. Intense storms and associated storm surges can cause boats to come loose from their docks or offshore moorings. Excessive speed in the waterways can cause large wakes causing boats to be damaged through interactions with docks and piling, and the same boats can cause considerable damage to the slow moving manatees who are frequently scarred by the boat’s propellor.
Trash thrown in the waterways by inconsiderate boaters can cause damage to fish and birds in the area. Fish and birds ensnared in plastic line or bottle holders is a particularly disturbing site.
Observant Citizen Scientists reporting on the health of the Key’s waterways will provide the information needed to ensure these features remain enjoyable experiences.
Relative Environmental Questions
These Relevant Environmental Questions promote environmental awareness and serve as a starting point for citizens to begin making environmental observations. Citizens will soon be able to submit their environmental findings and answers to these questions with the launch of the Record page. Please be sure to follow our Facebook page for the latest news and updates!
- Have you noticed any changes in water visibility, clarity, or color? If so, where?
- Do you ever see navigation aids that are damaged or missing? If so, where?
- Have you noticed a change in marine mammal abundance? If so, describe.
- Have you noticed areas with marine debris (e.g., plastics, Styrofoam, heavy metals, fishing nets or monofilament line)? If so, where?
- Have you noticed any areas with seagrass scars or trenches (i.e., trails of sediment left behind by boat motors in seagrass beds)? If so, where?
- Have you noticed any areas where the seagrass looks slimy? If so, where?
- Do you notice whether or not boaters are wearing life jackets? If so would you say most people do wear life jackets or most people do not?
- Have you noticed any irresponsible dumping of wastewater or ballast water? If so, where?
More Relative Environmental Questions
Lists of Relevant Environmental Questions (REQs) can be found in each of the Explore sections of the Citizen Scientist Project’s Lab. Before going out to explore the environment in or around Key Biscayne, Virginia Key, or Hobie Island, you can review the REQs to have a better idea of what to look for during your exploring.
Once your exploration is complete, and you are ready to answer the REQs, just jump over to the Record section of the Citizen Scientist Project’s Lab to submit your answers.