Belize's Coastal Capital

The study estimates the economic value of three specific services provided by Belize's coastal ecosystems, finding that tourism, fisheries, and shoreline protection contribute significantly to the national economy, though these resources face threats from development, overfishing, and climate change.

• In 2007, coral reef- and mangrove-associated tourism contributed between US$150 million and US$196 million to Belize's national economy, representing 12 percent to 15 percent of the GDP.
• Reefs and mangroves provide significant economic benefits through fisheries, estimated at US$14–16 million annually, and by preventing coastal property damage from erosion and waves, which is estimated at US$231 to US$347 million in avoided damages per year.
• Belize's coastal resources are threatened by unchecked development, overfishing, tourism pressures, and climate-related changes such as warming seas and fiercer storms, yet current investment in their protection remains very small relative to their economic contribution.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Belize's Coastal Capital. https://www.wri.org/research/belizes-coastal-capital

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Belize's Coastal Capital. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/belizes-coastal-capital.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Belize's Coastal Capital |url=https://www.wri.org/research/belizes-coastal-capital |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendbelizes, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Belize's Coastal Capital}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/belizes-coastal-capital}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }