Governor Bush approves no-fishing zone off Florida Coast.

Jeb Bush,  governor of Florida last week approved a marine preservation plan that will create the largest no-fishing zone in the United States in remote waters off the Florida Keys.

According to a report in the Miami Herald, Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet made the Tortugas Ecological Reserve a reality on 24 April.

The Tortugas Ecological Reserve is an underwater refuge, 70 miles west of Key West and more than 140 miles from mainland Florida.

Bush acknowledged there are probably some opponents, but said there are people in the commercial fishing industry, recreational fishermen and people on the environmental side who believe the action is appropriate, the newspaper said.

Ban begins this summer

With Tuesday's action, the state waters within the preserve, encompassing about 77 square nautical miles, will be closed to fishing beginning 1 July, the report said.

Marine officials don't plan to actively enforce the regulations until word spreads, sanctuary spokeswoman Cheva Heck told the Herald.