There are sound economic reasons why it will pay Hainan to preserve its rich and valuable biodiversity. Mangroves trap soil to create new fertile agricultural lands, limit sea erosion, and create rich spawning grounds around the coast. Replacing mangroves with fish ponds will temporarily replace coastal fisheries with artificial fisheries, which may then collapse because of the acid sulphate soil conditions and disease. Coral protects the coastline from erosion, enhances tourist values of the island, and increases inshore fisheries. One area in Wenchang county of Hainan has already lost thousands of ha.
Tourism is the biggest winner of all from the benefits of environmental protection.
Hainan is a beautiful and interesting destination, and tourists will want a beautiful environment. A degraded environment will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Specific Recommendations A. Coastal Resources Discussion during the meeting highlighted the central role played by Hainan's coastal resources in the Province's current and future economic development. Concern was expressed at the need to allocate funds and institutional priority to the conservation of these natural systems if their benefits are to be retained and enhanced. A detailed analysis be carried out of the full economic value of Hainan's coastal ecosystems, including in particular mangroves, seagrass beds, estuaries, sand beaches, and coral reefs.