Home » The Global Water Crisis » Our Approach » Water Sector: Drinking Water, Sanitation & Hygiene » Productivity & Efficiency » Governance & Regulation » Natural Resources Mgmt » Disasters & Climate Change » Water Partnerships » Publications » Videos » Success Stories » Additional Resources »
	10/05/2011: Presentation by Christian Holmes, USAID Global Water Coordinator, at The Water Institute, University of North Carolina - Turning Impossible Challenges into Solvable Problems 09/23/2011: Presentation by Christian Holmes, USAID Global Water Coordinator, at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars - Water Security for Women and Girls 09/23/2011: Better Irrigation Brings Better Life: USAID rebuilds karezes in Daman to improve agricultural output 09/22/2011: Podcast interview at CSIS with Chris Holmes on USAID's current work on Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Programming 09/22/2011: Presentation by Christian Holmes, USAID Global Water Coordinator, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies - Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Programming 09/19/2011: Remarks by Christian Holmes, USAID Global Water Coordinator, at the Center for Environment and National Security - Water Security, Climate Change and Finance 09/16/2011: Remarks by Christian Holmes, USAID Global Water Coordinator, Meeting Global Water Needs: Challenges and Solutions 09/08/2011 Hand Washing Hygiene Saves Lives 09/07/2011: Health and Wealth Filter Through 07/19/2011: WASH for Life 07/05/2011: Photo Essay: Establishing the Lake Niassa Reserve in Mozambique 07/2011: Your Voice: Peru’s Melting Glaciers Teach Community “to Be Strong in the Face of the Changes” 06/13/2011: Remarks by Christian Holmes, USAID Global Water Coordinator, Water for People Founders Award Address 03/22/2011: Secretary Clinton on World Water Day (Department of State website)
	Advanced search... Search USAID Personnel... Search USAID Documents...

USAID Contributes $40 million for Protection of Coral Triangle

The 'Coral Triangle' is home to 35% of the world’s coral reefs, at least 3,000 fish species, and the largest expanse of mangrove forests on the planet.

The Challenge

Spanning Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, the “Coral Triangle” is one of the world’s most biologically diverse marine areas. The region, sometimes referred to as the “Amazon of the Sea” for the vast array of species it houses, is comprised of 6 million square kilometers of ocean and coasts, and contains 30% of the world’s coral reefs, 75% of all coral species, and the largest expanse of mangrove forests on Earth.

Today, however, this rich natural landscape is in danger. The Coral Triangle’s marine and coastal resources – and the goods and services they provide – are threatened by over-fishing, blast and cyanide fishing, sedimentation and other forms of pollution from coastal development, poor agricultural practices and deforestation, and ocean acidification due to global climate change. These factors are adversely affecting the region’s fish, coral and mangroves, as well as the 120 million people whose livelihoods are dependent on these resources.

USAID's Response

To address these problems, USAID has pledged $40 million to support the Coral Triangle Initiative, an innovative, cross-border undertaking that will support promote sustainable fisheries and coastal resource management programs in East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands, whose governments have come together to address this problem in a striking demonstration of political will and international cooperation.

Project Impact

The majority of these funds will support the work of a consortium of NGOs, including the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Conservation International to work with government and private-sector partners to strengthen local governance, protect livelihoods, promote eco-tourism, and protect reefs and mangroves in order to lessen storm damage to coastal communities. Along with support from CTI’s other partners, USAID’s support will be crucial in ensuring that future generations continue to have the opportunity to enjoy this natural treasure.

Learn More

• More water-related success stories
• Coral Triangle Initiative Factsheet [PDF 1.02 MB]
• USAID's Coral Triangle Initiative Site
• WWF’s Coral Triangle Site
• Official Press Release of funding announcement [DOC 139 KB]
• The Coral Triangle Initiative Secretariat
  

Back to Top ^