Coral Reefs Fuel Florida’s Economy—Restoration Ensures Their Future

In the Florida Keys, restoring coral reefs isn't just an environmental priority-it's a strategy to safeguard ocean ecosystems and sustain a tourism economy worth billions . Healthy coral reefs make the Florida Keys' economy tick . By restoring degraded reefs within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary , NOAA and its partners help support almost 20,000 local jobs tied to tourism, fishing, and ocean recreation. Each year, these activities generate more than $2 billion for the region.

"Coral restoration is a growing economy in itself," says NOAA Marine Habitat Resource Specialist Michelle Lowe. "Not just in the direct sense of creating restoration jobs and building coral propagation facilities, but for local Keys businesses that are centered around a demand for ocean-going activities: dive shops, recreational fishing companies, hotels, and more."

"Coral reefs are the backbone of my business and the Florida Keys economy," says Patti Mlyniec of Southpoint Divers , a NOAA Blue Star dive operator recognized for promoting responsible, educational tourism. "Without reefs, you don't have sea life. Without sea life, fisheries are done, and restaurants are done. Everything is done without coral."

Nate Sterns, master instructor at Florida Keys Dive Center , another Blue Star operator, agrees: "People come down to the Keys to participate in ocean activities, whether that's snorkeling or scuba diving or just hanging out by the water. If our coral reefs aren't in the best of health, all of that pretty much goes away."

Iconic Reef Guardians: Turning Divers into Stewards

NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation funds coral restoration projects across the state, including the flagship Mission: Iconic Reefs initiative in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary . This ambitious effort is adapting to meet the challenges of warming oceans, including Florida's most recent mass coral bleaching event, by investing in new technologies and strategies [add story link when ready].

Through Mission: Iconic Reefs' Iconic Reef Guardians program, Blue Star dive operators lead coral restoration trips with recreational divers. These trips not only offer a new revenue stream for dive shops, but also raise public awareness about reef health.

Divers participating in the program can:

• Tour and maintain underwater coral nurseries
• Learn how to assess coral health
• Collect data scientists can use to guide restoration efforts

"Our clients are shocked when they see the difference between healthy and unhealthy reefs," says Sterns. "They understand how big the problem is."

"The Iconic Reef Guardians program aims to inspire both locals and visitors to become stewards of the Sanctuary's reefs and advocates for coral reef restoration," adds NOAA's Chandler Wright, stewardship manager, Mission: Iconic Reefs. "The fate of Florida's reefs may appear uncertain, but with continued support for restoration, we believe the reefs can persist for many years into the future."

Coral Restoration Boosts the Local Economy

Coral restoration itself supports the Florida economy. One of our restoration partners, the Coral Restoration Foundation , found that for every $1 invested in its program by NOAA and other funders, $1.40 ripples through the local economy. This is in addition to the economic benefits provided by healthy reefs.

"The Coral Restoration Foundation stimulates the local economy by hiring people, purchasing materials, and using local services on a regular basis," says Madeline Rothwell, impact analyst and socioeconomic associate for the Coral Restoration Foundation. "For example, when we run a restoration dive, we rent boats, buy fuel, and often hire local captains or dive professionals. When we host volunteer days, we bring people into town who spend money at local restaurants, hotels, and shops. These activities inject money into the community quickly, not months or years later. It shows that ecosystem restoration isn't just about the future-it's also about making a positive impact today, right here in the local community."