Abstract

Coral reefs being highly diverse to marine ecology, yet most of the mystery remain unsolved. Coral reefs are of ecological as well as economic importance. Corals support commercial and subsistence fisheries, tourism, and are of medicinal value. It also creates a barrier against storms, flooding, and erosion by reducing wave action. Further, Corals support the existence of nearly 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals reef and other oceanic species. They also act as carbon sinkers. Coral polyps take up dissolved CO2 in the water to make their calcareous exoskeleton allowing atmospheric CO2 levels to be reduced. People around the world depend on the coral reefs as it’s used as food, protection, provides employment and attracts tourism. They are attractive sites for recreational activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving. Furthermore, the coral reef ecosystem could represent increasingly significant sources for medical treatments, nutritional supplements, pesticides, cosmetics and other commercial products. Therefore, needs best strategies to improve to protect coral reef.

Keywords: Coral reef; Coral disease; Fishing; Symbiotic zooxanthale; Tourism