The most beautiful coral or rocky reefs in the ocean are those inhabited by an abundance of diverse, colorful and uniquely-shaped fish, according to a recent study by an international team of researchers. This beauty and biodiversity is not only key to ocean conservation but makes those reefs more valuable in terms of human economics.
The study showed that not only is it important to integrate aesthetic value into biodiversity protection policies, but programs are enhanced by being surrounded by a Marine Protected Area. In addition to their ecological role, coral reefs offer a powerful emotional connection between people and nature. Marine protected areas help preserve this connection while supporting sustainable tourism, which is essential to the local economy in many countries of the Global South (developing nations in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Oceania). These effects are especially pronounced in tropical regions, regardless of a country’s wealth.
“The beauty of nature influences our attachment to ecosystems and our willingness to protect them,” said Nicolas Mouquet at the Université de Montpellier, a member of the international research team. “In the face of the rapid decline of these ecosystems, better understanding of what makes a reef beautiful in the eyes of the public has become a key conservation issue.”
The research, co-authored by University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa oceanography graduate student Aaron Judah, was published in June 2025 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The team analyzed the perceived beauty of more than 3,500 groups of reef fish around the world, combining data from a global reef monitoring program with assessments of fish species’ aesthetic appeal, gathered through online surveys conducted with the public.
“There are many threats facing the future of our worldʻs reef ecosystems,” said Judah. “We need to strive to conserve both their dazzling biodiversity and the important functions and provisions they support. This study informs a management approach of reefs that incorporates natureʻs contributions to people.”
With less than 7% of reefs currently benefiting from effective protection, this study calls for a rethinking of conservation priorities. Preserving the rich beauty of the oceans helps protect and support fisheries, tourism, and human well-being simultaneously, and tropical, developing countries can benefit most.
“Rocky and coral reefs, which are among the most colorful and vibrant ecosystems on the planet, attract millions of visitors each year and generate major economic benefits, especially in developing tropical countries,” said Matthew McLean, UNCW assistant professor of biology and marine biology and leader of the research team.
Tropical regions display reefs with the greatest richness and exceptionally beautiful species. And since aesthetic value is unrelated to countries’ level of wealth, developing countries can benefit most. Protected areas can therefore support fisheries, tourism, and human well-being simultaneously.
