Healthy coral reefs provide the following:
Habitat, food, and a spawning and breeding ground for over one million aquatic species, including commercially harvested fish species.
Food for the society living near coral reefs, especially in small islands.
Recreation and tourism opportunities, for example: fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, which contribute billions of dollars annually to local economies.
Protection of coastal infrastructure and prevention of loss of lives due to storms, tsunamis, flooding, and erosion.
Sources of new medicines that can be used to treat diseases and other health problems.