\ Estimated level of threat ¢11 Low Medium High …Very high Illustration No. 1: Map of the Caribbean’s threatened coral reefs 36. Aware of the economic and social importance of the marine environment, as well as its vulnerability to pollution, the States of the region, jointly, and certain international organizations, have taken various measures designed to protect it for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. A significant example of these efforts was the adoption of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region in 1983, aimed at implementing measures to prevent, reduce and control pollution in the Caribbean Sea, not only within each State party, but also through international cooperation. 37. An example of the above, is the obligation to “take all appropriate measures to protect and preserve rare and fragile ecosystems, as well as the habitat of depleted, threatened or endangered species,” and “to establish protected areas.” 23 In application of this provision, and at the request of Colombia, in 2000, UNESCO included the area where the Archipelago of San Andres and 23 See Article 10 of the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region, Cartagena de Indias, March 24, 1983: “The Contracting Parties shall, individually or jointly, take all appropriate measures to protect and preserve rare or fragile ecosystems, as well as the habitat of depleted, threatened or endangered species, in the Convention area. To this end, the Contracting Parties shall endeavour to establish protected areas. […].” 60