Home > Regulatory and Economic Resources > Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay

View of the Bay

Biscayne Bay is a dynamic and diverse marine ecosystem with mangrove shorelines, a shallow bay, developed and undeveloped islands, and living coral reefs. It is a shallow inlet of the Atlantic Ocean along southeastern Florida that provides a home for all kinds of sea life.

About Biscayne Bay
Sunrise over the Bay

The Biscayne Bay Task Force report, approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in October 2020, provides a road to Biscayne Bay recovery that focuses on seven key areas.

Solutions: Recovery Plan
Tree in Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay Watershed Management Advisory Board was created by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), as recommended by the Biscayne Bay Task Force.

Watershed Management Advisory Board
Sunset between two palms

The Chief Bay Officer acts as an advisor to the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and advocates on matters related to the health and recovery of Biscayne Bay.

Chief Bay Officer

Taking Action

Boat abandoned and sunken in Bay

Abandoned and derelict boats or vessels are a major problem in the coastal areas of Miami-Dade County.

Abandoned, Derelict and At-Risk Vessels
Dead fish floating in a body of water

Division of Environmental Resources Management (RER-DERM) will serve as the lead agency in the event of an environmental crisis, such as a fish kill or algae bloom event.

REPORT FISH KILLS
Plastic cup in sand at sea shore

Miami-Dade County responds to environmental complaints and emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Environmental Complaints

Get Involved

Baynanza volunteers

Baynanza is an annual celebration that features dozens of events, culminated by the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day. Volunteers gather at dozens of locations along Biscayne Bay to pick up tons of garbage.

Baynanza

Whether at home, on land or in the water, actions you take can affect the health of Biscayne Bay. Learn what you can do to contribute to a clean bay.

Tips & Resources

Miami-Dade County partners with officials, municipalities, state and federal agencies and organizations to help improve the health of Biscayne Bay.

Partnerships and Initiatives

About Us

Our responsibilities include:

  • Enforcement of building codes and zoning regulations. Issuing of contractor licenses and approvals of construction materials and products. Protection of environmental and historic resources
  • Review of land development and construction permit applications for compliance with applicable building, zoning, environmental and public works codes, and with the County's Comprehensive Development Master Plan
  • Promotion of fair competition through consumer protection efforts (licensing, enforcement and mediation), and consumer education efforts focused on youth and families
  • Development and implementation of economic development strategies for the County overall as well as sector-specific initiatives in the agricultural, entertainment and trade industries
  • Economic research, land use planning and resilience initiatives to enable sound economic development and policies