Final Project: Prime Dive Locations in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

 

    

FL Keys Dive Locations

For my final project I wanted to create a map that combined information for the Florida Key's Shipwreck Trail and a compilation of all of the public mooring buoys throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.  Not only did I want to create this for my own use as a diver, but I believe it would be very useful for the diving tourism in the Keys. I used three layers: Florida Shipwreck Trail, Mooring and Wreck Buoys, and Fl Keys National Marine Sanctuary Boundary.  The Florida Shipwreck Trial overlay shows the location of nine historic shipwreck throughout the Sanctuary.  The Mooring and Wreck Buoy overlay shows the locations of all public mooring buoys throughout the Sanctuary.  These buoys were put in place to allow divers/snorkelers a secure place to moor their boats without adversely damaging the reefs with their anchors.  The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Boundary shows just that, the boundary lines of the sanctuary itself.  This map relates to different themes discussed during class like tourism, ecological conservation, and the process of map making.  

For the overlays I changed the styles, symbols, color and size to create a map that was visually appealing and easy to read.  I changed the basemap to the oceans basemap, I felt it was appropriate to show the contours of the ocean floor in relation to wrecks and reef locations.  I also added labels to the overlays to identify the depth of water at each location to better judge the skill level required of the divers based on their certification level.  I was also able to use the measure tool to identify the distance between the dive locations and the closest tourist area.  For example: The Amesbury wreck is located 12.5 miles from the Key West Harbor, and the Rock Key Reef is only located 8.2 miles.  The Dry Tortugas is a beautiful dive destination, but it 80 miles from the closest port which is Key West. 

I have been to the Keys multiple times but have never had the time to dive the Shipwreck Trial.  With this map, I can better plan my next trip down there to focus only on diving.  I have been snorkeling out of Key West and used the mooring buoys on the reefs, but I did not know the extent of how many buoys are down there.  This gave me a better understanding of the sensitive nature of the Sanctuary and just how many opportunities there are to experience the beauty of the coral reefs. 

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