What is an aquatic preserve?
The Florida Legislature established the Aquatic Preserve Program in Chapter 258, Florida Statute to protect state-owned submerged lands which have exceptional biological, aesthetic or scientific value. Forty-two sites along the coasts of Florida are designated as aquatic preserves. The major focus is on the protection of water quality. This effort is enhanced by designating the waters within aquatic preserves as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW), which is the highest classification for waters of the state. This designation provides for the maintenance or improvement of the ambient quality of the water at the time of designation as an OFW.
