World Wildlife Fund

Funae fishermen
© WWF Canon / Jürgen Freund

Though the Coral Triangle is considered the center of marine biological diversity, it is straining to support some of the world’s highest human population densities and growth rates. Its resources directly support the livelihood of 126 million people living within this area, and benefit millions more worldwide.
In addition, the Coral Triangle straddles an area that has emerged as the planet’s economic epicenter. Dramatic population growth and economic development have fueled unsustainable coastal development and boosted demand for expensive marine resources such as tuna, shark fin, turtle products and live reef fish.

Depleted resources
Marine resources are being depleted at an unsustainable rate to supply both subsistence fisheries and burgeoning seafood markets within the Asia-Pacific region and for global markets. More than 75 percent of the world’s aquaculture industry is centered in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the Philippines and Indonesia, and increasingly Malaysia.

Porcelain crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) lives in symbiotic relationship with sea anemone
© Brandon Cole

Overfishing and destructive fishing methods
Overfishing and destructive fishing methods, including the use of cyanide and dynamite, have destroyed large sections of coral reefs and depleted fish populations. This is further aggravated by the practice of targeting juveniles and fish spawning aggregations.

Mangroves
Mangroves, which provide critical habitat for many species of fish, are being cleared for development, tourism activities, and for increasing aquaculture and fuel-wood demands. 

Climate change
Climate change affects marine biodiversity and the lives of those who depend on the reefs for food and income. Coral bleaching poses a major threat to coral reefs, for instance, the 1997–98 El Niño event triggered the largest worldwide coral bleaching event ever recorded.