REEF Fish & Friends: Artificial Reefs in the Florida Keys

Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A social hour runs from 6:00 to 7:00, and the presentation follows from 7:00 to 8:00.

REEF’s monthly Fish & Friends seminar turns to artificial reefs. Dr. Koch, who works closely with officials at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, discusses their role in building the Florida Keys artificial reefs program and what that work means for the fragile marine systems around the island chain.

The sanctuary covers 4,539 square miles of water surrounding the Keys, extending from south of Miami west to the Dry Tortugas. It was designated in 1990 at 3,800 square miles and has since expanded.
Fish & Friends is a free monthly seminar series of ocean-themed talks, built as much around the hour of conversation beforehand as the presentation itself. Snorkelers, divers and anyone interested in Keys marine life are welcome. Light refreshments are complimentary.

The talk takes place at REEF’s Ocean Exploration Center, in the median at mile marker 98.3 in Key Largo, reached by Bahama Road. For anyone who cannot attend in person, the seminar is live-streamed on REEF’s Facebook and YouTube channels.