What is the primary strategy for preventing injury from coral's abrasive structure?

Minimizing direct skin contact with the reef structure.

The most effective management strategy for coral injuries is prevention, given that the rigid structure itself is the primary cause of abrasive injury. The core strategy involves actively minimizing any direct skin contact with the reef structure whenever one is in the water. This physical barrier can be achieved by wearing protective clothing, such as a full-length wetsuit or a dive skin, which guards against accidental scrapes caused by currents or incidental contact with others. Even in shallow water, where contact might seem less likely, one must remember coral can grow on man-made structures like jetties. Furthermore, excellent buoyancy control for divers and snorkelers is paramount, as this minimizes accidental contact, thereby protecting both the individual and the fragile coral ecosystem.