Florida's reef tract stretches from south of Fort Lauderdale to the Dry Tortugas beyond Key West. It is home to more than 50 types of reef-building corals and more than 150 species of fish. The 220-mile coral reef tract is the third longest barrier reef in the world and the only one in the North American waters of the United States.

Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the earth's surface but are home to more than 25% of all known marine species. As much as one third of all sea creatures either live or spend much of their lives on reefs.

More than 3 million people visit Florida's coral reef tract each year, contributing about $1.2 billion to the state's economy. The waters surrounding Florida's reef account for more than 20 million pounds of commercially harvested seafood each year.

Coral reefs have long provided valuable pharmaceutical products and may hold clues to cures for cancer, arthritis, and human afflictions. Coral reefs are often compared to tropical rain forests because of their diversity of species and their fragile ecosystems.

For every Protect Our Reefs license plate purchased, 100% of the $25 fee goes to Mote Marine Laboratory. Additional registration fees may apply. For more information about Florida's specialty license plate program, please click here. To purchase your specialty license plate now, please click here.

You can purchase a license plate in person at your local tax collector, online or by mail.

• Click here for information about your local tax collector's office.
• Click here to purchase your Protect Our Reefs plate online now.
• Click here to puchase a Protect Our Reefs plate for someone else.