Page 269 - Florida and the US Caribbean Isles

DRY TORTUGAS UNDERWATER LIFE Tortugas Ecological Reserve has a ledges feature deep-dwelling sea life such as lantern fish, tilefish,
line of underwater moorings that dive boats use. There are a few other golden crabs, and giant isopods.
rocks, reefs and wrecks to dive as well, including the moat wall area west of
Fort Jefferson. This is a low-relief habitat with diverse coral reefs, carbonate
HERWOOD FOREST REEF 60’-130’ Int. - Adv. Within the Florida
Sbanks and sandy coral rubble hardbottom. Depths range from 30 to 75 Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sherwood Forest astounds di-

feet. This is some of the most species-diverse water in the Caribbean, con- vers and scientists alike with its beautifully-colored false bottom

taining more than 75 species of hard and soft corals and 330 species of reef full of nooks and crannies where fish and other sea creatures can

fishes and pelagic species. Many colorful sponges and invertebrates also find shelter. This ancient reef is over 9,000 years old, and the only

live here. The Tortugas area plays an important nursery role in the larger one of its kind in Western hemisphere. It is the best nursery habitat

Florida subtropical seascape. Currents that sweep from Gulf of Mexico, the in the United States. The name was given by divers observing the

Caribbean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean converge here. many mushroom-shaped corals here.

T FORTUGAS SOUTH HABITAT Interestingly, the Tortugas South ORT JEFFERSON MOAT WALL Snorkelers see parrotfish, porkfish,
portion of the reserve includes a wide range of deep water cor- grunts, sea fans, sea plumes, hermit crabs, and queen conch.

al reef habitats and numerous rare and unusual reef species. How- The snorkeling here is great.

ever, the deepest portions of Tortugas South are far out of reach

for sport divers, with depths of 1,600 to 1,800 feet. Here, limestone