The Indo-west Pacific has long been recognised as the global centre of shallow water marine biological diversity and the South China Sea, therefore represents an area of globally significant marine biodiversity. This significant GEF project implemented by UNEP, represents the first attempt to develop regionally co-ordinated programmes of action designed to reverse environmental degradation particularly in the area of coastal habitat degradation and loss, halt land-based pollution and address the issue of fisheries over-exploitation. This publication focuses on the proceedings of the Regional Task Force on Economic Valuation meeting that took place in Fangchenggang, China.