The Economic Contribution of Belize's Coral Reefs and Mangroves

This research paper by the World Resources Institute (WRI) evaluates the economic contribution of coral reefs and mangroves to Belize's national economy, focusing on tourism, fisheries, and shoreline protection. The study highlights a significant gap between the high economic value these ecosystems provide and the low level of investment in their management, particularly within the Marine Protected Area (MPA) system.

• The combined annual economic value of reef- and mangrove-related fisheries, tourism, and shoreline protection services in Belize is estimated between US$395 million and US$559 million. This is a substantial figure relative to Belize's 2007 GDP of US$1.3 billion.
• Reef- and mangrove-associated tourism generated an estimated US$150–$196 million in 2007, representing 12–15 percent of the national GDP. High-value industries like diving and sport fishing earned US$30–$37 million, while the cruise industry contributed significantly less, providing only US$5.3–$6.4 million in reef- and mangrove-related taxes and revenues.
• Commercial fisheries dependent on reefs and mangroves provide an estimated US$14–$16 million per year. These fisheries are threatened by the loss of habitat and over-fishing, particularly of high-value species like snapper and grouper.
• Coastal ecosystems provide critical 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 contribute an additional US$111–$167 million.
• The Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve serves as a case study showing that tourism and fisheries at a single park can contribute US$4.9 to $7.3 million annually to the economy. However, the government allocates only roughly US$100,000 per year for its management, indicating severe under-investment.
• Belize's 18 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are critical for conservation and tourism, but many are 'paper parks' lacking sufficient funding and staff. In 2007, approximately 115,000 visitors to MPAs spent an estimated US$17 million on associated expenses.
• Coral reef health in Belize has declined significantly; live coral cover dropped from 25–30 percent in the mid-1990s to an average of 11 percent by 2006. This decline is attributed to synergistic impacts from mass bleaching, hurricanes, and human pressures.

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} }