Question

How does touching coral kill it?

Answer 1

The biggest problem in touching is the risk of breakage which can kill a whole colony. Other threats are oils from your skin and hands. It is too fragile to be touched and handled by a thousand hands. Look and don't touch!

Answer 2

sunscreens and oils can cause bleaching, when coral is bleached Alge can not live in the coral. Coral grows very slow and takes years to recover from breakage. Development of Coral farms off the Mexican coast along with research are making great strides in replenishing Reefs.