Coral Reefs

Annual Economic Benefit Provided By Coral Reefs
Tourism & Recreation	$9.6 Billion
Coastal Protection	$9.0 Billion
Fisheries	$5.7 Billion
Biodiversity	$5.5 Billion
Total Annual Economic Benefit	$29.8 Billion

Figures obtained from Economic Values of Coral Reefs, Mangroves, and Seagrasses.

According to Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2002 Coral Reefs provide goods

and services worth US $375 Billion per year.

NOAA Rule Prohibits

The import, export, take, and all commercial activities involving elkhorn and staghorn corals

Collection or any activities that result in the corals’ mortality or injury

Anchoring, grounding a vessel, or dragging any other gear on the species

Damaging the species’ habitat

Discharging any pollutant or contaminant that harms the species

Elkhorn and Staghorn: “These corals were once the major reef builders in Florida and the Caribbean, but now more than 90 percent of their populations are lost,” “That not only threatens their survival-- it affects the entire ecosystem. This rule will strengthen our efforts to recover these corals by allowing us to address the human-induced threats affecting their status.” -Roy Crabtree, NOAA’s Fisheries Service’s southeast regional administrator.

"Living coral reefs are vital to Puerto Rico's fishing and tourist industries, and to the basic ecosystem." From the book Living With The Puerto Rico Shore.