The provisions, originally in a bill filed by Representative Ron Saunders (D) – Tavernier, was amended to a bill by Representative Troutman (R) – Winter Haven, by Senator Constantine (R) – Altamonte Springs, and passed by the full house and senate. It authorizes the Department of Environmental Protection to establish methods for calculating damages to and access civil penalties for the damage of coral reefs in Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Dade and Monroe counties. Penalties range from $150 to $1000 per square meter depending on the extent and location of the offense. Penalties would double if in a state park or aquatic preserve and for repeat violations. First time damage of reefs of less than one square meter would result in a warning letter by the Fish & Wildlife Commission.

“This legislation will go a long way to protect and restore the daily damage from boaters grounding and anchoring on coral reefs,” said Paul Johnson, President of Reef Relief. “Coral reefs take millennia to form, but can be physically destroyed and degraded by careless boaters not familiar with their presence nor importance in a generation.”

The bill provides definitions for coral reefs and authorizes the department to enter into settlement agreements requiring parties responsible for injury to or destruction of coral reefs to pay a third party to fund projects related to the restoration of the reef.

“We thank the leadership in the legislature and cooperation among the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission in bringing this good bill to completion,” said Johnson. “We look forward to working with the boating public and these agencies to better educate and implement this new law.