The Caribbean region is endowed with a wealth of coastal and marine resources, including a wonderful multitude of unique plants and animals. Most Caribbean countries depend on the sea for the goods and services it provides. Reef fisheries are a vital source of protein for millions of people in the region and a source of employment for hundreds of thousands of full- and part-time fishers. Over 116 million people live within 100 km of the Caribbean coast and over 25 million tourists a year visit the Caribbean, almost all of whom spend the majority of their time in coastal areas. Tourism revenue alone brings in over US$25 billion a year to the region.

There is growing concern, however, that the accelerating degradation and loss of these resources would result in significant hardship for coastal populations, nations, and economies. This report identifies nearly two-thirds of the region’s reefs to be directly threatened by human activities, and estimates future economic losses from diminished coral reef fisheries, dive tourism and shoreline protection services at between US$350 – US$870 million per year. Coral reefs are extremely important to the economies of Caribbean countries today, and they are the capital stock for future economic and political security.

Ensuring the vitality of coral reefs and their ability to continue providing benefits to society and economies is critically important, but there is much we do not know about these resources. Until now, a comprehensive assessment of Caribbean coral reefs, including their location and threats, has never been undertaken. Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean seeks to analyze the full range of threats to these unique ecosystems as well as to orient the region’s policy-makers toward potential opportunities for capturing greater benefit from their sustainable use.

Because coral reefs do not conform to national boundaries, protecting and restoring them can only be achieved through collaboration among nations and organizations. In fact, this report would not have been possible without the many partners, organizations, and individuals in the region who came together with the sole purpose of making sure that this analysis was accurate and represented the needs and priorities of the region. We deeply appreciate their support and that of those agencies that kindly provided funds for this analysis.

Reefs at Risk in the Caribbean is an integral part of the work of the World Resources Institute, the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), and the UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP) in the Wider Caribbean. We hope that the report will serve as a valuable tool for governments and environmental organizations in the region to better understand the growing threats affecting the marine environment of the Caribbean and to identify priorities and sites for immediate action.

Jonathan Lash, President, World Resources Institute

Kristian Teleki, Executive Director, International Coral Reef Action Network

Nelson Andrade, Coordinator, UNEP Caribbean Environment Programme