The Florida Keys serve as a living laboratory for advancing aquaculture techniques that integrate ecological restoration with sustainable marine resource management. Institutions and organizations in the region are exploring approaches that extend beyond traditional aquaculture, applying innovative technologies and multi-species culture systems to address the urgent challenges facing coral reef ecosystems. Projects focus on reef-associated species including corals, sponges, and finfish, with the dual objectives of ecological restoration and scalable conservation outcomes. These efforts illustrate the potential of aquaculture not only to meet human demand for seafood and ecosystem services, but also to rebuild reef habitats that support biodiversity and coastal resilience worldwide.
Through collaboration among research institutions, community stakeholders, and industry partners, the Florida Keys are emerging as a model for how aquaculture can function as both an economic driver and a mechanism for ecological recovery. This session will highlight recent advances, lessons learned, and future directions, while framing the broader vision of establishing the Keys as a global demonstration site for sustainable coexistence with the marine environment. By connecting science, technology, and conservation, aquaculture in the Florida Keys offers a blueprint for restoration efforts in the face of climate change and environmental decline.