The Economic Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves

The report estimates that Belize's coral reefs and mangroves contribute between US$395 million and US$559 million annually to the national economy, representing a significant portion of the country's US$1.3 billion GDP (2007). The highest value is derived from shoreline protection (US$231–$347 million) and tourism (US$150–$196 million), while commercial fisheries contribute US$14–$16 million. Despite these high values, the report argues that investment in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is insufficient, citing the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve as a case study where annual economic contributions of US$4.9–$7.3 million are supported by only approximately US$100,000 in government management funding.

• The combined annual economic value of reef- and mangrove-related fisheries, tourism, and shoreline protection in Belize is estimated at US$395–$559 million, with mangroves contributing US$174–$249 million of that total.
• Reef- and mangrove-associated tourism generated an estimated US$150–$196 million in 2007, which equals 12–15 percent of Belize's GDP. High-value sectors like sport fishing and diving earned US$30–$37 million, whereas the cruise industry contributed significantly less, between US$5.3–$6.4 million in related taxes and revenues.
• Commercial fisheries dependent on reefs and mangroves provide an estimated US$14–$16 million per year, though these resources are threatened by over-fishing of species like snapper and grouper and the loss of habitat.
• Coastal ecosystems provide substantial shoreline protection by mitigating wave energy and preventing property damage. Coral reefs provide an estimated US$120–$180 million in avoided damages annually, while mangroves provide an additional US$111–$167 million.
• The Glover's Reef Marine Reserve serves as an example of extreme under-investment; while it contributes an estimated US$4.9 to $7.3 million annually to the economy through tourism and fisheries, the government allocates only roughly US$100,000 per year for its management.
• Belize's coral reefs have suffered significant decline, with live coral cover dropping from 25–30 percent in the mid-1990s to an average of 11 percent by 2006, driven by bleaching events, hurricanes, and human pressures.
• The report recommends that the Belizean government increase investment in the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), enforce land-use regulations to minimize mangrove loss, and establish permanent funding for the MPA system to prevent further ecological and economic decline.

APA

Cooper, E., Burke, L., & Bood, N. (2009). The Economic Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves. World Resources Institute. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/coastal_capital_belize_wp.pdf

Chicago

Cooper, Emily, Laurett Burke, and Nadia Bood. The Economic Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves. World Resources Institute, 2009. https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/coastal_capital_belize_wp.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Cooper |first1=Emily |last2=Burke |first2=Laurett |last3=Bood |first3=Nadia |title=The Economic Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=January 2009 |url=https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/coastal_capital_belize_wp.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cooper2009economic, author = {Cooper, Emily and Burke, Laurett and Bood, Nadia}, title = {{The Economic Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2009}, month = jan, url = {https://wriorg.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/pdf/coastal_capital_belize_wp.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }