Dredging Paused at Port Everglades as Coral Reef Concerns Grow

Environmental groups raise alarm over potential impact on nearby coral colonies from port expansion project.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:24pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting the dramatic scale of the ocean and sky near Port Everglades, with the port infrastructure barely visible in the distance, dwarfed by the expansive, sublime natural environment.The fragile coral reefs near Port Everglades face an uncertain future as the port seeks to expand its shipping channel, raising concerns over the potential environmental impact.Today in Miami

A dredging project at Port Everglades has been temporarily paused, raising concerns among environmental advocates about the potential impact on nearby coral reefs. The reefs, which include some of the last remaining colonies of endangered elkhorn and staghorn corals in Florida, sit near the entrance to the port and are directly in the path of efforts to deepen and widen the shipping channel.

Why it matters

The Port Everglades dredging project is seen as crucial for the port to remain competitive with other major shipping hubs, but environmental groups argue the potential damage to the fragile coral ecosystems outweighs the economic benefits. Past dredging projects at other Florida ports have resulted in severe damage to nearby reefs, and advocates are urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider or significantly scale back the Port Everglades plan.

The details

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has temporarily paused the dredging project at Port Everglades, a move that environmental groups like Miami Waterkeeper are hoping will lead to the project being called off or significantly revised to minimize harm to the coral reefs. The reefs near the port entrance include some of the last remaining colonies of elkhorn and staghorn corals, which have seen steep declines across Florida in recent years. Port officials argue the dredging is necessary to accommodate larger, more fuel-efficient cargo ships, but advocates say the potential damage to the marine environment should take priority.

  • The dredging project at Port Everglades has been temporarily paused by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • In recent years, elkhorn and staghorn corals have been declared functionally extinct across much of Florida.

The players

Miami Waterkeeper

An environmental advocacy group that is opposing the Port Everglades dredging project due to concerns over the potential impact on nearby coral reefs.

Dr. Rachel Silverstein

The CEO of Miami Waterkeeper, who has warned that the dredging project threatens some of the last remaining healthy populations of elkhorn and staghorn corals in the area.

Port Everglades

The seaport located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which is seeking to deepen and widen its shipping channel to accommodate larger cargo ships.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency that oversees the dredging project at Port Everglades and has temporarily paused the work amid the environmental concerns.

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What they’re saying

“This is what the dredging project threatens. One of the last places where there are still somewhat healthy populations of these staghorn corals is the area right around Port Everglades.”

— Dr. Rachel Silverstein, CEO, Miami Waterkeeper

“Take care of our reef and we care about it and don't dredge on me.”

— Dr. Rachel Silverstein, CEO, Miami Waterkeeper

What’s next

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will review the potential environmental impacts of the Port Everglades dredging project and determine whether to proceed with the plan or significantly scale it back to protect the nearby coral reefs.

The takeaway

The temporary pause on dredging at Port Everglades highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental preservation, with advocates arguing that protecting the last remaining healthy coral colonies in the region should take priority over port expansion.