On our 4th episode of the American Blue Economy Podcast, we explore coral reefs. Coral reefs contribute to the US economy through areas such as dive tourism (June’s episode), support to fisheries (August), and contributions to coastal resilience (November). By one estimate, coral reefs provide economic goods and services worth about $375 billion each year worldwide. NOAA suggests that coral reefs in southeast Florida, for example, have an asset value of $8.5 billion, generating $4.4 billion in local sales, $2 billion in local income, and 70,400 full and part-time jobs. Additionally, in the United States, about half of all federally managed fisheries depend on coral reefs. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service estimates the annual commercial and recreational value of U.S. fisheries from coral reefs to be over $200 million. But their future is challenged by a variety of factors, including bleaching, disease, and ocean warming. We will describe these, and our panel of guests will show us how partnerships, science, and technology will keep our coral reefs viable through the 21st century. These brilliant panel members include: Dr. Erica Towle, Lynker Technologies, National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Coordinator. Dr. Joshua Feingold, Professor, Department of Marine & Environmental Sciences, Nova Southeastern University: Welcome Joshua! Mike Goldberg, Co-Founder I.Care, Owner, Key Dives Jim Ritterhoff, Executive Director, Force Blue Kevin O’Brien, President at Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, Inc, and Dr. Michael Crosby, President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquariu

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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