In 2007, the Research Natural Area (RNA) was designated as an area of special protection within Dry Tortugas National Park. The RNA was designed to work along with two existing ecological reserves as a network to protect the shallow water habitats and reef fish species found in the Tortugas. Recent research shows that the abundance of important fishery species such as mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, and hogfish have increased inside each of the marine protected areas in the Tortugas, which demonstrates how these no-take marine reserves are working together as a network to protect fish throughout their life history in the different habitats of the Tortugas. FWC commissioners met recently and extended the RNA protections for another 20 years, which will hopefully allow the reef fish populations to continue to recover and provide sustainable fisheries into the future. FWC Commission meeting minutes: https://bit.ly/2jfJThN
