Some of them fight back. Collecting shells and corals is an illegal act. Shells are home to marine animals, and corals are living animals that belong in the sea, not on a coffee table. For memories, consider underwater photography. Out of curiosity, many people feel a certain compulsion to touch, feed, or even chase marine animals.
Governments wish to maintain marine areas, a factor important to the tourism product.
The private sector has similar concerns, and key stakeholders continue to depend on the bounty of the sea. The marine areas of the Caribbean are under stress, and it would be to our benefit to undertake management for continued use.