EIGHT (8) ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF CORAL REEF
Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals. Coral reefs are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The following are eight (8) economic importance of coral reefs: Fishing ground corals reef is home to large number of different species of fish and this makes them the the best fishing ground. For example the commercial value of US fisheries from the coral reef is over 100 million US dollars (NMFS/NOAA, 2001). In addition the annual value of reef dependent recreational fisheries probably exceed 100 million US dollars. In developing countries, coral reef contribute about one quarter of total fish catch, providing critical food resources for tens of million of people. Coral reefs buffers adjacent shorelines from wave action and prevent erosion , property dam...