Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems in terms of ecological, economic and cultural capital. However, recent reports indicate that 58 to 70 percent of coral reefs globally are directly threatened by human-associated activities. Overfishing, intensive boating and recreational impacts, and land-based sources of pollution in the form of sediments and excess nutrients threaten coral ecosystems.

Key conservation strategies for coral reefs include:

• ​Reducing primary threats such as land-based sources of pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage outfall, and erosion from bare soils, and reducing functional reef species through unsustainable harvest
• Increasing the use of measurable goals, objectives and coral health thresholds in management planning
• Increasing the management effectiveness of Marine Protected Area networks through management training and community engagement

To date, NFWF has supported projects for coral reef conservation totaling over $43 million in 39 countries, giving the program a global reach. Funds have assisted broad-scale coral reef management by establishing new techniques for assessing and monitoring reef health and new fishery management models. Site-specific initiatives have developed and implemented watershed management plans, reduced sediment erosion through stream bank stabilization, provided incentives or best management practices on agricultural lands, and supported capacity-building of management and conservation organizations to sustain conservation outcomes.

NFWF manages the Coral Reefs Program with NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. Funding for the program is provided by NOAA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.