In many of the countries, other than the fishing industry, the tourism industry of the Coral Triangle also plays a crucial role in generating large revenues for the countries and communities. The reefs provide livelihoods to 126 million people and feed millions more. With the depletion of fishes and loss in biodiversity, it will lead to an economic decline for them as many jobs and income revenues are lost.

The Bajau are adept free divers, descending to improbable depths in search of food and other creatures for trade in the islands of Indonesia. Bajaus are locals staying either on their traditional lepa lepa boat or living in stilt communities in the Coral Triangle. They are experts free diver that go to improbable depths with their nets and lines in search of pearl and sea cucumbers to hunt with handmade spear guns.

To catch sufficient quantities of their targeted species, having to compete with large-scale producers, Bajaus have to disregard traditional techniques and use compressor diving and cyanide fishing methods to catch their gains. Compressor diving has thus constitute the largest, single and unnatural cause of death among the Bajaus. Similarly, if the Bajaus are not efficiently skilled to manage the new techonological methods, it will also lead to injury such as loss of limbs or eyesight due to homemade fertiliser bomb.

In some countries, where the Coral Triangle is unable to buffer coastal communities from the onslaught of tropical storms, leads to more deaths and injury in the event of a storm.

To the Bajaus, the Coral Triangle is also their livelihood and play environment. This lost in natural habitat and environment also means a loss of recreational space and livelihood environment to them which may lead to emotional losses.