The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most biodiverse bodies of water on the planet and one of the most economically productive regions in the world. It is home to a diverse range of sea life including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, oysters, thousands of fish species and deepwater coral reefs.

The Gulf’s coastline houses half of the coastal wetlands in the US and is dotted by tidal flats, mangrove swamps, estuaries and bays. The Gulf’s coastal communities, along with the tourism, commercial fishing and energy industries, are all dependent upon the health and vitality of the Gulf of Mexico.

Fisheries, oil and gas reserves, maritime shipping, agriculture, tourism and recreational opportunities all participate in making the Gulf of Mexico a major economical asset for the United States, Mexico and Cuba.