The Total Economic Value of U.S. Coral Reefs

The commissioned report by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program presents an aggregate economic value of US coral reefs, approximating it at over $3.4 billion annually. This evaluation, derived from the seven US states and territories with coral reefs, encapsulates an array of ecosystem services such as tourism, fisheries, coastal protection, and amenity value. The report provides a comprehensive understanding of the coral reefs' economic significance. However, it acknowledges its estimation to be partial due to limited geographical coverage and value assessment of specific services in some regions. This insight underscores the immense economic implications of conserving these critical ecosystems and flags the gaps in data that warrant further exploration to capture the full extent of their value.