I find it difficult to protect nature by law! Continuous education is the most important thing. Simultaneously allow visitors taking all precautions and charging them significantly. The funds raised thus should go back to improving the way people allowed to enjoy the reefs. Modern electronic alerting when some body goes very near or going to damage could be introduced. Fit it to the gear worn by the visitor. Fine heavily if any wanton destruction is noticed.
...planting mangroves around the coastal areas will go along way in preserving the coral reef environment. Even though the canopy of the mangrove plants may not extend far out the stretch of the coral reef, tannins from these plants provide coloring to the water that reduce excessive light penetration which damage these coral communities.