Monroe County residents and businesses that use the waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary now have a new digital tool to help them understand and follow protected-area rules. NOAA’s Marine Sanctuary Explorer app provides detailed, zone-by-zone regulations, offline mapping for areas with limited reception, a listing of Blue Star operators, and species identification guides tailored to the sanctuary. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and can be found through NOAA’s Florida Keys site.

The app consolidates regulatory information that can be hard to access on the water, giving recreational and commercial users immediate access to the sanctuary’s zoning boundaries and the activities allowed or restricted in each zone. For Monroe County—whose economy and daily life are closely tied to recreational fishing, diving, charter operations and marine tourism—clear access to rules and maps has direct implications for public safety, business operations and natural resource protection.

Local operators and users who rely on cellular service in remote areas should benefit from the app’s offline maps, which reduce the risk of inadvertently entering no‑take zones or other restricted areas when reception is poor. The inclusion of a Blue Star operator directory connects users to businesses recognized by NOAA for providing information and services compatible with sanctuary rules. Species guides embedded in the app also offer on‑site reference for identifying protected or sensitive species, supporting compliance and reducing unintentional harm to wildlife.

From an institutional perspective, the app represents a tool for more transparent rule communication by NOAA and sanctuary managers. Easier public access to zoning and species information can aid enforcement partners and resource managers by lowering the incidence of accidental violations and focusing outreach efforts where confusion is most common. For local government and tourism stakeholders, clearer navigation of regulations could mean fewer enforcement incidents and a more predictable environment for charters and recreational businesses.

The app may also influence civic engagement around marine policy in Monroe County. Ready access to sanctuary information makes it easier for residents to understand the tradeoffs of zoning decisions, to participate knowledgeably in public meetings, and to hold elected officials accountable for marine stewardship and enforcement priorities. Environmental regulations and resource management have been recurring topics in local governance and elections; tools that increase public understanding can shape community debate and voter priorities.

NOAA’s Marine Sanctuary Explorer app is one more interface between sanctuary managers and the public, designed to improve compliance, safety and stewardship in the Florida Keys. Residents and visitors can learn more and download the app via the Florida Keys NOAA site: floridakeys.noaa.gov/about/marine-sanctuary-explorer-app.html.