Caribbean countries with fragile ecosystems can exchange some of their debt to the U.S. if they spend money protecting their reefs. The bill passed in the House, extends the Tropical Forest Conservation Act to include coral reef systems. Spend a dollar conserving coral reefs, one less dollar owed to the United States. Twelve countries previously wrote off debt to the U.S. by spending money preserving their rainforests.

"By providing incentives for developing nations to conserve their coral resources, we are in effect protecting coastal landscapes and maintaining coastal quality of water of some of the most important coral reef ecosystems in the world," said Rep. Alcee Hastings.

Several of the eligible countries include Jamaica, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama. Two research organizations that study coral reef ecosystems, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution of Fort Pierce, support the bill.

Florida fishermen might see some benefits in the future, too. Some of the fish larvae spawned on Caribbean reefs make their way to Florida waters by way of the Gulf Stream, says Florida Sportsman Projects Editor Terry Gibson.