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THE IMPORTANCE OF CORAL REEFS

Coral reef are important for many reasons. The most important reason is because they provide protection and shelter for many different species of fish. Without coral reefs, these fish are left homeless with nowhere to live and no where to have their babies.Not only do these fish increase the diversity of our world, but also reef fish and mollusks feed between 30 and 40 million people every year.

Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Coral reef ecosystems support a variety of human needs. They are important for subsistence, fisheries, tourism, shoreline protection, and yield compounds that are important in the development of new medicines.

At least 500 million people rely on coral reefs for food, coastal protection and livelihoods. It is estimated that coral reefs provide $375 billion per year around the world in goods and services. Estimates are that 20% of the worlds coral reefs have been effectively destroyed in the last few decades and an additional 20% or more are severely degraded, particularly in the Caribbean Sea and the Southeast Asia.

When we communicate about coral reefs to various audiences, it is important to realize that reefs are not only biologically rich and a source of beauty but they also provide many services to the communities they support.

BY JACKY GABRIEL