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Coral Triangle
A Place of Unrivaled Richness, Importance and Beauty – The Nursery of the Seas
The Importance of Coral to People
© Jürgen Freund / WWF-Canon
Covering nearly 2.3 million square miles of ocean across all, or parts of, the seas of six countries in the Indo-Pacific—Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste—the Coral Triangle is a myriad of life forms and lifestyles.
This vast area of the Indo-Pacific region harbors 75 percent of all known coral species, more than half of the world’s reefs, 40 percent of the world's coral reef fish species, and six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle.
The Coral Triangle is also part of a wider region that contains 51 of the world's 70 mangrove species and 23 of the 50 seagrass species.
Why the Coral Triangle (and not a circle)?
The Coral Triangle is defined by marine zones containing at least 500 species of reef-building coral—the darkest area that is roughly triangular in shape shown in the map above. Certain neighboring countries like Australia and Fiji contain rich coral biodiversity as well, but with somewhat lower numbers.
The Economic Value of the Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle supports livelihoods and provides income and food security, particularly for coastal communities. Resources from the area directly sustain more than 120 million people living in the area.
The Coral Triangle’s economic value is nothing short of phenomenal:
- Total annual values of coral reefs, mangroves and other natural habitats within the Coral Triangle are estimated at more than US$2.3 billion
- Tuna spawning and nursery grounds support a multi-billion dollar tuna industry and supply millions of consumers worldwide
- Marine resources contribute to a growing nature-based tourism
Through key strategies, we are working to ensure that the world’s center of marine bio-diversity remains vibrant and healthy, providing food and livelihoods for generations to come.
WWF's vision: Protect the resilience and the native species through collaboratively managed practices across political and cultural boundaries and create economic opportunities for the people who live here and depend on natural resources for their livelihoods.
The place. Off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, the Coral Triangle covers almost 1.6 billion acres—an area equal in size to half of the United States. Its waters hold an array of over 600 reef-building coral species—which encompasses 75 percent of all species known in the world.
The species. The region is home to 3,000 species of fish, including commercially vital yellowfin, skipjack and bigeye tuna. Along with whales and dolphins, its waters attract whale sharks—the world’s largest fish—and coelacanths, a “living fossil” fish believed to predate dinosaurs. The shores are also nesting grounds for five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles.
The people. The majority of people in the Coral Triangle live along its shores. Most local residents remain deeply connected to the sea, as fishing and tourism are primary sources for their livelihoods. From generations of living in balance with a wealth of fish, birds and marine mammals, the region's cultures have acquired unrivaled skills in boat building and nautical navigation.
Related Global Markets
Climate Change | Fishing | Aquaculture | International Finance | Wildlife Trade
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