Home to 363 Million People

In addition to the vibrant biodiversity, the Coral Triangle is also a huge source of food and income for the people living in that area. Boosting an area of 6 million square kilometers, the Coral Triangle supports almost 363 million people and these people depend on the region for food, livelihood and coastal protection. Similarly, the Coral Triangle is a melting pot of cultures. People are deeply bonded by the sea and it holds an amazing cultural diversity where more than 2,000 languages are spoken.

---

World’s largest Tuna Industry

Tuna species are important for commercial purposes as it is a source of a multi-billion global industry and the Coral Triangle plays a key role – it serves as an important nursery and migration ground for the tuna population, supplying half of the world’s tuna. Supporting the livelihood of more than 2 million fishermen, the Coral Triangle also provides other commercially important species that fuels the fishing industry. For instance, the fishing industry has become a lucrative trade that is driven by the huge demand for “live” fishes such as groupers and shark fins by Asian countries such as Hong Kong and China. The Coral Triangle sustains almost 75% of the global aquaculture (also known as aquafarming) industry, generating over US$800 million per year.

On a micro-scale, these marine resources provide food and sustain the livelihood of millions of local people. Therefore, with its commercial value and great importance to local communities, the Coral Triangle is a vital environment that needs to be protected.

---

Tourism 

Tourism is another economic resource for the local communities living in the Coral Triangle. Due to its gaining popularity and awareness, more tourists are flocking over to the Coral Triangle. These tourists drive the tourism industry by generating revenues and demands for resort development, local tours, scuba diving and even interaction with the marine wildlife such as whale shark feeding. However, it could be disputable whether such practices are ethical and environmentally-sustainable. Biologists have argued that such unnatural behaviors could result in the whale sharks developing abnormal social behaviors and the possibility of the spread of diseases between humans and whale sharks.

On a lighter note, the sea can provide a natural playground for children and a place for adults to relax and retreat. The natural environment and diverse marine life could also serve as educational resources and learning grounds for both children and adults.