borders in the Pacific nation after 18 months, which, according to Gareth Phillips, is a symbol of regeneration and hope. The principal marine scientist from environmental protection organisation Reef Teach noted that his excitement for the new coral life reflected the mood of Australia which is emerging from prolonged COVID restrictions.
“Nothing makes people happier than new life — and coral spawning is the world’s biggest proof of that. We are coming out of restrictions with a fresh leap of life just as the reef is spawning. That positivity is what people are feeling. It’s the celebration of the year,” he noted.
Speaking from the Passions of Paradise expedition vessel on the outer edge of Flynn Reef, Phillips noted that this year’s spawning began soon after the sun set. “I’ve seen the corals all go off at once, but this time there seemed to be different species spawning in waves, one after the other. The conditions were magical with the water like glass and beautiful light coming from the moon,” he said.
The event was witnessed by a team of six divers who watched different sections of the reef, which erupted one after the other. “About five different genus of Acropora, the branching corals, went off releasing mauve-pink parcels. Next, the Porites, the big boulder corals all started smoking at once releasing what looked like a river flood plume turning the water cloudy,” Phillips recalled.
