The Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves consist of about 180,000 acres of submerged lands in five contiguous aquatic preserves designated by Legislature for inclusion under the Florida Aquatic Preserve Act of 1975.
The FCHAP mission is to support the protection, conservation, restoration, management, responsible public use, and the enhancement of the resources of the coastal and aquatic ecosystems of the Charlotte Harbor estuaries including Lemon Bay, Gasparilla Sound/Charlotte Harbor, Cape Haze, Pine Island Sound and Matlacha Pass.
The FCHAP goals are to:
Increase public awareness through involvement in educational programs, resource-based activities and special events.
Develop stewardship for our estuaries and our public lands.
Improve and restore the natural and cultural resources of the greater Charlotte Harbor estuaries.
Establish and maintain cooperative efforts with organizations, institutions and government agencies involved in environmental protection.
