If properly managed, coral reefs can yield an average of 15 tons of fish and other seafood per square kilometer (.4 square miles) per year. Coral reefs support 6 million fishers in nearly 100 countries. Reefs account for 10-12% of the fish caught in tropical countries, and 20-25% of the fish caught by developing nations.
They are a primary source of food and protein for many coastal communities. In fact, 4.3 billion people around the world rely on fish for 15% of their animal protein intake.
When a coral reef dies, it becomes a food security crisis for the local communities who depend on the reef.
