Mangroves were once common in sheltered bays and estuaries, providing shelter to many important fish species and prawns. They are now threatened by intensive cropping to provide firewood, poles, tannin, medicinal products, paper pulp and timber, and to open up new space for aquaculture and salt production. Mangrove swamps are also threatened by fluctuations in the amount of fresh water and sediment reaching them caused by upstream hydraulic works, and indirectly by destruction of protective reefs.poles, firewood and by large-scale clearing for salt production. Coral reefs have been damaged by excessive siltation resulting from poor agricultural practices, deforestation along riverbanks, and the dredging and and dumping associated with harbour development. Many were damaged by fishing with dynamite and poison, especially before these methods were outlawed in part of the region.
Tourists collect coral as souvenirs.
More recently the bleaching of corals has become a severe problem. Barrier islands are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. Potential impacts of expected climate change on coastal and near-shore environment. The economies of the region are dominated by agriculture. Fishing is an important source of food and contributes to the economy of the majority of the countries.