This is a summary of selected regulations important to most Park visitors. Its incomplete form does not relieve persons from abiding by all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
TRASH-- Pack it in, Pack it out !
Generators-- No loud operation after 10 pm !!
Attention Boaters-- It is illegal to discharge sewage into Park waters. All heads must be fitted with Coast Guard approved Marine Sanitation Devices which must remain in the closed position until your boat leaves park waters.
Personal Watercraft cannot be used anywhere in the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Boaters and Campers All visits are limited to 14 consecutive days and a total of 30 days per calendar year.
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CLOSURES AND PUBLIC USE LIMITS
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FORT JEFFERSON - GARDEN KEY
~ The Moat is closed to swimming, fishing, or boats.
~ Pets, food or drinks are not permitted inside the fort.
~ The fort interior is closed after sunset.
~ Service and residentail areas are closed to all public use.
LOGGERHEAD KEY
~ Open year round during daylight hours only.
~ All structures closed to public use.
HOSPITAL KEY & LONG KEY
~ Closed year round
BUSH KEY
~ Open during daylight hours only
~ Closed February through September
EAST KEY
~ Open year round during daylight hours only
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ANCHORING
Overnight anchoring is restricted to sand and rubble bottom, and must be within one nautical mile of the Garden Key Harbor Light.
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DOCKING
Loggerhead Dock is closed to public use at all times.
Garden Key Dock is limited to two hours per day per vessel and is closed after sunset.
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CAMPING
Camping is limited to the Garden Key Campground only.
Groups of 10 or more require reservations in advance.
camping fee $3 per person per night.
Fires are permitted only at Garden Key Campground BBQ's, (charcoal only, no ground fires anywhere in the park.)
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Dry Tortugas National Park is a sanctuary.
Prohibited activities include:
~ Commercial Fishing
~ Spear Fishing
~ Taking of Conch, Lobster or Ornamental Tropical Fish.
~ Collecting of Artifacts from land or water
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Fishing for fin fish is permitted with hook and line gear only. All State of Florida saltwater fishing laws/regulations concerning licenses, size, possession and species restrictions apply. (Except as modified by Park regulations)
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Persons from vessels which have brought lobster or speared fish to Park waters may not enter the water except to swim from the beach at the Garden Key designated swim area.
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Bait fish may be taken by cast net ...the limit is five gallons per vessel.
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The following areas around Garden Key are CLOSED TO FISHING
~ Moat, moat wall and within 300 feet of the moat wall.
~ Vessels moored at the Garden Key Dock
~ Helicopter Pad Area
~ North and South Beaches
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REMEMBER In almost all cases it is illegal to possess more than one bag limit of any fish species !
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IMPORTANT RULES FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN
~ Persons in possession of commercially taken fish or commercial gear, or who are otherwise engaged in commercial fishing may not fish within the Park.
~ The disposal of fish remains from commercial activities is prohibited within the park.
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Persons conducting any commercial enterprise within the Park must possess a Business Use Permit issued by the Park. activities requiring a permit include. . .
~ Transportation
~ Guided:
~~~snorkelling
~~~Sailing
~~~Sportfishing
~~~Scuba Diving
~~~Bird Watching
~~~Sight Seeing
~ Any Other For Fee Sevice.
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Superintendent
Everglades National Park
4001 State Road 9336
Homestead Florida 33034
or
Chief of Operations
Dry Tortugas National Park
PO Box 6208
Key West Fl 33041
This page is based on Regulation Summary provided Jan 2001. Please Stop at Fort for any updated regulations...
