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AERIAL VIEW Boats in Lagoon (2 shots)
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SV Fish and coral reef
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CU Various corals (2 shots)
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SV Drivers taking photos of fish underwater
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GV AERIAL VIEW OF Key Largo area with animated map (2 shots)
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Initials VS 21.00 VS 21.15



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A large portion of the largest living coral reef off the coast of the United States of America, has been declared a National Marine Sanctuary.

The reef lies in the clear, warm water off Key Largo, in the state of Florida, and has been a source of interest for scientists and tourists alike.

Part of the reef was already incorporated in a national park, the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and was hence protected from the more obvious effects of human abuse.

But a large section of reef, some five miles wide and twenty miles long and not been incorporated in the park scheme.

However, in response to a request from the Florida Department of Natural Resources the area has now been designated a marine sanctuary by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Such a designation will impose restrictions on removal or destruction of marine life in and around the reef ... except for the fish.

Aquatic sports, such as diving, boating and fishing, will still be permitted in the restricted area, but under limited conditions.

SYNOPSIS: The clear blue-green waters off the coast of Florida in the United States of America.

The largest living coral reef in U.S. waters lies here, off key Largo. The reef has been a source of interest to scientists and tourists alike. Now a large section of the reef has been declared a National Marine Sanctuary. The declaration followed a request from the Florida Department of Natural Resources. The section of the reef incorporated into the new National Park is more than five miles wide and twenty mile long.

It is hoped that the establishment of the Park will protect the reef from suffering the more obvious effects of human abuse.