Importance of coral reefs for their socio-economic value

Fisheries

Fishery is not merely significant for the national income of a country; moreover, it is a major - if not the only - source of proteins for people living in developing countries where up to 25% of the total fish catch is provided by coral-reef-associated fisheries.

A school of Golden Crevalle (Gnathanodon speciosus) "flash" the camera on their way by at Czech Point dive site in the waters of Coiba National Park, Panama. Source: ©Laszlo Ilyes.

Coral reefs as pharmaceutical resources

In their search for new medicines, pharmaceutical companies are becoming more and more interested in the enormous diversity of coral-reef-associated species. Corals are especially promising as they produce a large array of chemicals to protect themselves against predators and other disturbances in their environment.

Already, valuable pharmaceuticals derived from coral-reef-related species are used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, asthma, tumors, skin cancer, leukaemia, and viral and bacterial infections, and about half of all new cancer drug research is assumed to focus on marine organisms.

Tourism

Snorkelling and scuba diving are fast growing industries.
Source: NOAA

Every year, more and more tourists are attracted to the coral reefs and the associated beaches.

As a result, tourism is the fastest growing economic sector associated with coral reefs and is expected to double within the next couple of years.

Tourism is the most important source of foreign income for many small island nations, most of them classified as a developing countries.

Coastline protection

Coral reefs shield the adjacent coastline against erosion, surges and other impacts of waves and storms.

In this way, coral reefs protect not only human infrastructure like villages, harbours of industrial plants, but also the often very fertile hinterland, and create safe waters for navigation and fishing.