Governor DeSantis has allocated $9.5 million from the Florida Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative to strengthen academic and private partnerships to safeguard the Florida Coral Reef.
The funding will enhance coral recovery, including propagation and outplanting capabilities, which are critical to the health and longevity of Florida’s coral reefs, stretching 350 nautical miles from Dry Tortugas to St. Lucie Inlet.
“Florida’s Coral Reef protects Southeast Florida from approaching storms and attracts visitors year-round,” the Governor said in a press release. “Safeguarding our coral reef is important both environmentally and economically, and we will continue supporting projects that keep this natural resource healthy.”
The Governor established the Florida Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative in Executive Order 23-06.
To ensure the state develops infrastructure and capacity for coral propagation and technology, as well as the development of a skilled workforce and the logistics needed to support long-term recovery and restoration. Over $11 million has been included in the fiscal year 2024-24 budget to continue the Florida Coral Reef Restoration and Recovery Initiative.
“As we address environmental challenges, we understand that preparedness and planning make a difference,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “We are very grateful that this administration has prioritized environmental initiatives, because without them, we could be facing a different outcome for the Florida Coral Reef.”
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and its partners are working to support the reef’s natural recovery processes through large-scale coral cultivation, outplanting, and monitoring of coral colonies that are more resilient to environmental stressors.
Other DEP programs are simultaneously working to address local coral challenges, such as water quality restoration, including in Biscayne Bay.
Funding recipients will carry out specific functions related to their funding applications, including:
- Expanding land-based propagation infrastructure and capacity, including breeding of species most affected by stony coral tissue loss disease.
- Expanding research, in-water staging, and propagation curriculum development.
- Expanding coral restoration efforts, including offshore nurseries.
- Expanding facilities for the care of threatened coral species, such as the Pillar Coral.
- Expanding annual outplanting efforts.
Since 2019, Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have dedicated over $50 million specifically for coral reef recovery and restoration, enabling Florida’s multifaceted response to last summer’s event.
You can find a list of all projects selected for fiscal year 2023-24 funding here.
The Governor also signed the following 25 bills into law:
CS/SB 7006 – A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act
CS/SB 1746 – Public Employees
CS/SB 1526 – Local Regulation of Nonconforming and Unsafe Structures
SB 818 – Military Licensing
CS/SB 474 – Public Records
CS/CS/SB 224 – Volunteer Citizens Advisory Committees
SB 1720 – Marine Invasive Species in Military Operations
SB 1512 – Controlled Substances
CS/HB 1415 – Peer Support for First Responders
CS/CS/HB 1113 – Use of Lights and Sirens on Emergency Vehicles
CS/HB 715 – Public Records
HB 533 – DNA Samples from Inmates
CS/HB 463 – Lights Displayed on Fire Department Vehicles
HB 377 – License or Permit to Operate a Rental Vehicle
CS/CS/HB 179 – Towing and Storage
HB 83 – Trust Funds
CS/CS/HB 49 – Employment
CS/HB 487 – Lost and Abandoned Property
CS/HB 865 – Youth Athletic Activities
CS/HB 1551 – Florida State Guard
HB 5201 – Trust Funds
HB 7001 – A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act
CS/HB 7003 – A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act
HB 7005 – A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act
HB 7007 – A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act
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