The red coral (Corallium rubrum) is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and adjacent part of the Atlantic Ocean and belongs to one of the longest-living organisms of the coralligenous habitat. It is particularly appreciated for its skeleton, which is sturdy and coloured. This work describes the causes of vulnerability of the species Corallium rubrum as well as several ways of its protection. The red coral was exploited already in early civilizations 30.000 years ago for ritual or for making ornaments. Today red coral fishing takes place in the richest zone which is between 80 and 120 meters depth. Diving is the most selective way of coral fishing, and according to today's permitted basal diameter of 7 millimetres, people are fishing only 6 percent of what could be fished if the corals were allowed to grow to be 98 years old. In addition to red coral fishing, there are natural causes of their mortality. Parasitic sponges Spiroxya heteroclite and Cliona sarai are drilling coral base and the oceans absorb increasing amounts of CO2 and thus they are becoming more acidic which is not favourable for the red coral. In Croatia, the red coral has long been exploited. There are records from Zlarin on red coral fishing already in the 14th century.