The Seven Mile Bridge is an epic entrance to Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys, the last stop before the headliner that is Key West. The Lower Keys is low key, a mix of nature preserves and marine sanctuaries. And whether it’s inshore or offshore, the fishing here is as close to a sure thing as it gets.
Looe Key is one of the seven reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary that is part of Mission: Iconic Reefs, one of the largest coral restoration projects ever attempted. Mission: Iconic Reefs was launched in December 2019, a particularly rough year for the 350-mile-long Florida Reef Tract. Over the past five years, Mission: Iconic Reefs has grown to include over 40 partners, from aquariums to universities to dive shops. And the scope of their collective work thus far is significant. Today, Mission: Iconic Reefs has a team of 20, and has raised $35 million to support the project. There’s good reason to be optimistic, but with this being a 20-year initiative, there is still much work ahead.
