Coral Spawn and Water Visibility - Great Barrier Reef

[SurferShane]

Does anyone have any reports or knowledge about the effect on water visibility due coral spawn on the Great Barrier Reef?

I am a new member hoping to be up the Whitsunday’s sailing next week and will be taking diving gear.

Last time I was there around this time of year the visibility at the Whitsunday’s was terrible and the odour due the scum on the inshore beaches was a bit ordinary. The only place worth diving was down around 1770’s and Lady Musgrave.

Thanks, Shane

[rusky]

Yep, can be just as you say. There is no guarantee it will be where you are going at the same time. This pic was in July this year

[GordMay]

Great Barrier Reef Coral Spawning Event: November 2021

The corals of the Great Barrier Reef have [beginning Nov. 23] spawned trillions of eggs and sperm, in an annual simultaneous mating event.

The mass spawning occurs after a full moon, and only after rising water temperatures have stimulated the maturation of the gametes, within the adult coral. The day length, tide height, and salinity levels also appear to be factors in deciding when the event will happen.

The spawning lasts between a few days, and a week. This is because different species release their eggs and sperm on different days, to prevent hybrids from being produced.

The phenomenon, which only happens at night, resembles an underwater snowstorm. But rather than being all white, there are also clouds of red, yellow, and orange. All the bundles rise slowly to the surface, where the process of fertilisation begins.

While spawning takes place on a large scale, it doesn’t happen across the entire Reef all at once.

Instead, the time of year that corals spawn depends on their location. Those on inshore reefs usually start spawning one to six nights after the first full moon in October, whereas those in outer reefs spawn during November or December.

More about:

GBR Foundation ➥ https://www.barrierreef.org/news/new...its-protection

ABC ‘Far North’ News ➥ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-...reef/100645572

7NEWS Video ➥ https://youtu.be/rKjvtkZWWbs

[JPA Cate]

SurferShane,

You'll probably do best at the offshore reefs. Usually the viz is better out there, and the spawning may not have begun out there yet, even if it is in full flow inshore.

Ann

[StuM]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

SurferShane,

You'll probably do best at the offshore reefs. Usually the viz is better out there, and the spawning may not have begun out there yet, even if it is in full flow inshore.

Ann

Doubt he'll see your post SurferShane posted his question in 2009 and hasn't been around for quite a while. Last message Jan 2012, Last activity Jul 2019.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by StuM

Doubt he'll see your post SurferShane posted his question in 2009 and hasn't been around for quite a while. Last message Jan 2012, Last activity Jul 2019.

Oops! Thanks Stu. Be well.

Ann

[GordMay]

Witness the Nighttime Magic of Spawning Coral ➥ https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3891297

Video [5:30] ➥ https://youtu.be/SP3nKAqLy4E

Transcript ➥ https://www.kqed.org/science/1991266...ant-snow-globe