How do we conserve and protect marine plants?

The protection and conservation of marine plants requires strict regulations and laws regarding the harvesting of these plants as well as protected areas in which these plants can grow to create the very important marine ecosystems they support.  Protecting mangrove swamps, kelp forests, and other algae and phytoplankton is crucial to the health of all ocean life and to the health of the planet.  It is also important to reduce the amount of pollution going into the water, avoid building structures that will provide shade, and control the amount of sediment that is washed into the water from road and the like.