ALT Alt text: A distressed, coffee-stained investment memo lies crumpled on a wooden desk. The document is formatted like an internal government or Wall Street report and is titled “INTERNAL MEMO.” It lists the economic value of coral reefs, including $9.9 trillion in annual ecosystem services, $94 billion per year in coastal protection benefits, and approximately $3.4 billion annually in U.S. fishing, tourism, and storm defense value. The memo notes a federal coral conservation budget of about $33 million per year and an estimated return on investment of roughly 300:1. At the bottom, a large bold recommendation reads, “ELIMINATE THE NOAA CORAL PROGRAM,” accompanied by a red scissors icon, creating an ironic contrast between the reefs’ immense economic benefits and the proposed funding cut.