What do healthy ecosystems have to do with fisheries and coastal livelihoods?
Ecological economics helps us understand that the economy is not separate from nature. Fisheries, seafood, income, and coastal livelihoods all depend on healthy marine and coastal ecosystems.
Mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and nursery grounds are examples of natural capital. They provide important ecosystem services, such as supporting fish habitats, breeding grounds, food security, coastal protection, and local livelihoods.
When coastal ecosystems are healthy, fishery resources have a better chance to recover, fisheries become more sustainable, and coastal communities can continue to benefit from the sea.
Protecting coastal ecosystems is not only an environmental action. It is also an investment in food, livelihoods, and the future of coastal communities.
