Just before Christmas, we received a telephone call from a fellow cruiser, reporting that the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission) was going to propose a three year extension of the Florida Pilot Mooring Field Program. There was not time to verify this data before the Holiday, but then, over Christmas, Captain Michael Connelly forwarded the “Florida Keysnoter” (www.keysnet.com) story below (see red text), which confirms the FWC’s action.
The entire issue of Florida anchoring rights and Florida mooring fields has become a fast moving, and much discussed issue here on the SSECN. First, we presented a very frank discussion about the desirability of having mooring fields at all (see /?p=123153), and then comes the bombshell that ALL Florida anchoring and mooring field regulations are being challenged in US Federal court (see /?p=129877)! Now, here comes the FWC proposing a three year extension of the Pilot Program.
It’s becoming a full time job just to keep up with this dynamic situation. The Salty Southeast Cruisers’ Net promises to do all in our power to keep the cruising community fully informed on all the latest developments in the struggle for Florida anchoring rights. HOWEVER, we need the help of fellow cruisers, like yourself and Captain Connelly. WHENEVER YOU GET WIND OF ANY LATE BREAKING DEVELOPMENTS, PLEASE SHOOT THAT INFO TO THE SSECN AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT!

New managed anchoring areas in the Florida Keys could have a short life span.
A statewide pilot program that allowed creation of the new areas expires in July unless the Florida Legislature acts this spring.
In October 2012, Monroe County commissioners gave final approval to the managed anchoring zones, or narrow no-anchoring buffer zones around existing mooring fields, in Marathon’s Boot Key Harbor, and in Lower Keys waters of Boca Chica Basin, Key West Harbor and Cow Key Channel.
Over the past year, the areas went into effect as boundaries were marked by signs, and informational brochures were distributed to boaters and local marinas. A system of providing free but mandatory sewage pumpouts once a month was instituted.
“Things are in place and going well,” Rich Jones, Monroe County’s senior administrator of Marine Resources, said this week.
“We have not had a lot of feedback” from boaters using the areas, Jones said, “other than everybody likes the free pumpouts.”
Information on how many boats are using the managed areas was not available at press time.
The Legislature passed the 2009 law allowing the pilot program in five specific areas, including the Keys. The legislation specifies that the special rules will sunset on July 1 unless extended.
It took time for local jurisdictions to craft their plans and rules, then have them approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Monroe County’s pilot program also needed the endorsement of city officials in Marathon and Key West.
A slate of requests from the FWC board to state legislators for this spring’s session is expected to include a recommendation that the pilot anchoring program be extended until 2017.
The Keys zones primarily were created to eliminate the illegal dumping of sewage from anchored boats, and identify boats at risk of sinking and becoming derelict.
“Florida Keys waters have historically been used for living aboard and storage of vessels at anchor,” says the county’s managed-area information. “The water-related Keys lifestyle is a traditional part of the Keys culture. However, in recent years irresponsible boating practices, associated with proliferation of unmanaged anchorages, have created environmental impacts that have become a growing public concern.”
As it stands, the Monroe County anchorages would remain if the Florida Legislature extends the pilot program. However, Monroe County commissioners could end the local program on their own by changing the local law creating them.

As of 1/6/14, the “Keynoter” has published a follow-up story on this issue at:

http://keysnews.com/node/52752

It’s WELL WORTH READING. PLEASE follow the link above!

I view FWC’s latest announcement as a positive move. The state of Florida is continuing to hold municipalities accountable until a formal process for establishing anchorages and mooring fields is put in place. By doing this FWC (the state of Florida) prevents the Wild West of anchoring rules which are dreamed up by any town, county or city who wishes to displace or control boaters. If ultimately there is a permanent Florida state statute which has similar checks and balances in place as the current temporary statute, I believe the boating public at large will be equally well served.
Philip Johnson

Anyone who thinks the FWC has nothing better to do than harass local live a boards, has no idea of what’s going on. Every thing they are trying to enforce only promotes the conservation of our beautiful community. Follow the rules when you are in our backyard and you will find the harassment non existent.
Today alone between noon and two o’clock FWC resecued a lost diver, responded to a reported square grouper, and investigated a migrant insertion vessel off of boot key.
Joe Bauman

I’m sorry to say, but I know of some experienced cruisers that are staying away from these communities with managed mooring fields and anti-anchoring regulations. The derelicts have not gone away, just moved elsewhere. So the only people impacted by these laws are the responsible transient boaters like myself who prefer to use our thousands of dollars of anchoring gear for something other than bow jewelry. And, these communities that think they will now reap the rewards of forcing boaters to pick up pay moorings are paying for all this with their taxes as the fees do not cover the costs of building, running, and maintaining the fields.
John Kettlewell