The blue coral is the only extant octocoral with a massive skeleton,[3] which is composed of fibrocrystalline aragonite (calcium carbonate).

Iron salts give the skeleton of Heliopora coerulea its unique color, which allows for easy recognition in fossil outcrops.

[6] Blue coral has shown a particular resistance to thermal changes in their environments and have actually grown more in warmer temperatures.

Despite being common in some areas and having a large range, the blue coral has been given the conservation status of a vulnerable species by the IUCN.

Transnational organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature stepped in and with public support managed to prevent the construction.

They attempted to further connect the community of Shiraho with the sea, beyond just fishing, to try and inspire a desire to conserve the area.

The tradition had decreased in prevalence over the years due to a variety of reasons including economic pressure and other local socioeconomic conditions.