Southern Pulley Ridge is No-Anchor Area as of June 1, 2023

The southern portion of Pulley Ridge, home to the deepest known photosynthetic coral reef system off the coast of the continental United States, becomes a no-anchor area on June 1, 2023, following a decision last fall by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency that governs safety and environmental standards for shipping worldwide. The IMO adopted the measure after NOAA and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary asked for increased protections around the 259 square miles of seafloor, located 41 miles west of the Dry Tortugas.

“Our Restoration Blueprint proposed rule called for this exact no anchor regulation,” said Sarah Fangman, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent. “Now that the IMO has implemented the protections, we will consider whether Blueprint needs to include Pulley Ridge as we move toward adoption of a final rule.”

Pulley Ridge is already protected as a Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council Habitat Area of Particular Concern, which prohibits anchoring by fishing vessels and deployment of other bottom tending fishing gear. The IMO action will prevent larger vessels, like container ships, from anchoring in the protected zone.

The no anchoring area for all ships is bounded by a line connecting the following geographical positions:

(1) 24° 52′.87 N, 83° 41′.85 W
(2) 24° 58′.30 N, 83° 38′.55 W
(3) 24° 58′.30 N, 83° 37′.00 W
(4) 24° 41′.12 N, 83° 36′.91 W
(5) 24° 39′.67 N, 83° 42′.65 W
(6) 24° 47′.55 N, 83° 55′.24 W
(7) 24° 57′.06 N, 83° 48′.41 W