Billy Causey, a pioneer of marine conservation in the Florida Keys, died last week. The 81-year-old was a fixture in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration鈥檚 efforts to create protections for the Florida Keys marine ecosystem for decades.
NOAA鈥檚 Office of National Marine Sanctuaries announced the passing of Causey in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Causey became the first superintendent for the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary when it was established in 1991.
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During that time, he spearheaded efforts to create a comprehensive marine zoning plan for the Keys, which includes the nation鈥檚 largest network of fully protected areas.
Causey鈥檚 passion for ocean protection was met with both appreciation by conservationists and ire by people in some commercial fishing spaces.
The reported in 2019 that during efforts to create the marine sanctuary, Causey witnessed himself being hanged in effigy by upset commercial fishermen in Marathon.
He was also instrumental in establishing the sanctuary鈥檚 mooring buoy program and designating the Tortugas Ecological Reserve, according to NOAA鈥檚 Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
In 2006, Causey assumed the role of Southeast Regional Director for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration鈥檚 Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and retired in 2019.
鈥淏illy was a pioneer in ocean protection and a global voice for coral conservation,鈥� said Matt Stout, acting superintendent of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 鈥淗is leadership in the Florida Keys spanned three decades, and he was a champion for balanced conservation to support and sustain recreation for generations that follow.鈥�
Funeral arrangements are pending.
