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Coral Sex on the Great Barrier
Reef
Jill March
 The largest living
organism can be seen from above the Earth’s atmosphere. It
covers more than 300,000 square kilometres off the north east coast
of Australia. The Great Barrier Reef is a magnet for marine biologists,
divers and tourists and that magnet is extra strong in November,
when every coral species on the reef decides it’s time for
coral sex.
The event happens just once a year
when conditions in the water, tide and temperature are absolutely
perfect. When everything is just right and the moon is exactly right
the coral begin to release their perfect eggs simultaneously in
to the blue. Fish go in to a frenzy, feeding on clouds of milk and
perfect pink spheres which pop from the coral creatures and make
a slow ascent to the surface where they wash together in a pink
slick.
 Night
diving is strange enough as it is, but to dive at night whilst the
coral is spawning is not only fascinating but extremely eerie. The
colourful reef fish of the day are normally tucked away for the
night while a whole new genus of odd looking night creatures creep
out of their coral homes. But during coral spawning the diurnal
and nocturnal divide matters not. All the fish are out and about
gorging on the feast. That is all part of the coral’s plan.
The coral knows that if each species released its eggs one at a
time then no egg and no coral would survive as all the eggs would
be eaten. But when coral spawns together the fish feed until they
can feed no more, hence enough eggs will remain to reproduce.
 To
see the pink spheres popping from the minute but swollen holes only
illuminated by narrow shafts of torch light is a mesmerising sight.
The darkness could not shroud the excitement and almost surreal
quality of the event. Fellow divers were just as excited as the
fish to be surrounded by such an unusual happening.
 My
husband and I had a great introduction to the Great Barrier Reef
whilst still firmly on land in Cairns. We went to a popular nightly
lecture ‘Reef Teach’ given by marine biologist Paddy
Colwell. Enthusiasm is an understatement, as it pours from this
gentleman. He describes the precious ecosystem of the reef and offers
memorable ways of identifying the main fish families and advises
how to protect the ecosystem whilst visiting.
I would highly recommend ‘Reef
Teach’ to anybody, whether they are an expert or novice of
the marine world. It is two hours of entertainment from a marine
biologist come stand-up comedian. He succeeds in transferring his
respect of the Great Barrier Reef to all who listen.
Our live-a-board experience provided
great memories of diving and extra training received for our advanced
certificate. We also enjoyed the food, company, crew and the weather.
All were top quality aboard the Kangaroo Explorer and to witness
the coral spawning as part of such a professional set up was a real
privilege.
About The Author:
Jill
is on a year long honeymoon with her husband Paul. At the moment
she is living and working in New Zealand and enjoying the opportunity
to write.
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