Our job is to help them do that without inadvertently harming themselves or our marine resources. To this end, our most important contribution is through education. In fact, education is our best enforcement. As Kalli explains, the educational process is twofold. There is a wealth of information available on the nature of coral reef communities, both their strengths and their vulnerabilities.
Coral animals have hard but delicate skeletons and are easily damaged by contact.
They grow slowly, and need to remain free of silt and other surface accumulations to thrive. A misplaced hand or careless fin kick can easily imperil the lives of hundreds of coral polyps. Our understanding of the nature of corals now encourages snorkelers to develop skills with an underlying attitude of appreciation and respect. Snorkelers learn to relax in the water, being careful not to impact corals needlessly with their hands, feet, or other errant body parts. This requires training since shallow water is especially subject to surge, and snorkelers frequently enter and exit from the shore.