Livelihood

Coral reefs are vital to the livelihoods of the Caribbean people. They provide food, employment and recreation.

Coral reef fisheries are a vital source of protein to millions of people living the in the Caribbean region. Reef fish are also the staple food of tourists, and are a valuable export commodity.The fisheries sector in the Caribbean employs more than one hundred and twenty thousand  (120,000) full time-fishers and many part time workers. Fisheries also indirectly provide jobs for thousands of people in processing, marketing, boat building, net making, and other support services.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization conservatively estimates that more that nine hundred thousand (900,000) persons are directly or indirectly employed by the tourism sector in the Caribbean.

Of course, the enjoyment of the beaches and reefs are not limited to tourists. They provide a major source of recreation for the Caribbean people.