Hydrosphere Contents

5. Aquatic Habitats

Coral is commercially exploited

Coral can be commercial exploited

Corals and shells are collected all over the world to sell as souvenirs or to make into jewellery. Coral can also be mined and used to build houses and roads in some areas. Sustainable management of the reefs will mean the regulation of these industries and better enforcement of existing legislation. In some countries, reef-related tourism is a significant source of income. However, coral colonies can get inadvertedly damaged by snorkellers and divers as they touch or disturb them.

In which ways are coral commercially exploited?