In addition to military purposes, the small islands in Micronesia have also been used by industrialized countries for economic purposes, such as fishing and mining. The waters surrounding Micronesia are rich in fish, and industrialized countries have often overfished these waters, depleting fish stocks and harming the local fishing industry. Mining has also been a major source of environmental degradation in Micronesia. The mining of phosphate, for example, has resulted in the destruction of large areas of rainforest and the pollution of waterways.
The use of small islands in Micronesia by industrialized countries has often had a negative impact on the environment and the people of these islands. The military and economic activities of industrialized countries have resulted in significant environmental degradation, health problems, and economic hardship for the people of Micronesia.