Alligator Reef, Islamorada, FL (Part 2)

Alligator Reef expands from the Lighthouse in 10ft of water to a half a mile seaward at the reef line drop off in 90ft of water. Many different species of marine organisms make the areas around Alligator light their home. Groupers, Conch, Eels, and Goatfish are just some of the creatures to find on the sites. It's important to note that the reefs are protected, and harvesting animals of any kind during on or off season is strictly prohibited year-round. It's not uncommon for planes, helicopters, and sometimes fighter jets (usually for training purposes as there are multiple military instillations around the keys) being spotted patrolling the waters up and down the reef line to report any suspicious activity. Particularly, conch species of any kind (specifically horse, fighting, milk, and queen conchs), regardless of size are illegal to touch or harvest as they are deemed protected species because of previously being over harvested in the 70s and 80s.