and foreign exchange earnings, and the development of other industries, such as agriculture and construction. 15 25. Finally, the marine environment has a direct effect on the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands, as well as on their ability to live in the place where they were born and have founded a family. 26. To the extent that the inhabitants of the coasts and islands of the Wider Caribbean Region depend fundamentally on the resources provided by the marine environment, any serious harm to this environment will undoubtedly affect the survival possibilities of these communities and their economic, social and cultural development. 27. As explained in the following section, the construction and operation of major new infrastructure projects in the Wider Caribbean Region may have serious consequences for the marine environment, negatively and irreversibly affecting life with dignity and the quality of life of the inhabitants of the islands located in this region, as well as their potential economic, social and cultural development, and their physical, mental and moral integrity. SECTION 2: THE SERIOUS THREATS TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT IN THE WIDER CARIBBEAN REGION 28. Owing to the intense fragility of the ecosystem of the Wider Caribbean Region, most environmental damage could be severe and irreparable (A). At the present time, several activities implemented by the coastal States of this region could generate this type of damage. These activities may take different forms including, in particular: petroleum exploration and exploitation, maritime transportation of hydrocarbons, port construction and maintenance, and the construction, maintenance and expansion of shipping canals, among others (B). A. The immense fragility of the Caribbean Sea ecosystem 29. The ecosystem of the Caribbean Sea depends on the quality of its waters, its corals, its mangroves, and its seagrass beds. Considered as a whole, these three coastal formations, together with the beaches, are the source of the services that the Caribbean marine environment provides to the inhabitants of its coasts and, particularly, of its islands: mainly, tourism and fishing. 16 30. The vital importance of the coral reefs and their considerable value, both for the 15 Ibid. 16 Ibid, p. xv. 21