Reef Report for November 2007

The month of November became the month of discovery on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Haba Dive and Snorkel’s vessel the MV Evolution ventured out to sample several new dive sites. One site at Agincourt Reef, between Whaler and Castle Rock in the Port Douglas / Cairns Region proved to be a very promising site. At one location there was a huge field of lettuce-coral full with black & red Anemone fish. Divers made a drift dive from Castle Rock with many fish around the divers in this new site. The other dive was from Whaler and back to this site. Once again, divers experienced a multitude of fish spawning activities of the many species many fish now - especially Blue Chromos and Sergeant Major.

On 6th November, Melbourne Cup Day was held on board MV Evolution. Fun was had by all with Pool Pony races and two sweepstakes were held. Not long after this day, many fish started to feed on a big amount of zooplankton. Divers & snorkellers witnessed big schools of Fusilier, Trevally, Chromos, Sergeant Major were all taking this opportunity to feed on this sea banquet.

The middle of the month provided rough weather. Visibility was a lower because of rough conditions and zooplankton. Fish were very active because of the weather conditions with an abundance of food in the water. Manta rays and whales were spotted between Tongue and Opal Reef. It was fantastic to see Bottle-nosed Dolphins playing around the boat.

As the month of November came to a close, the coral reef put on its annual display of spawning. It is a synchronised exercise, whereby corals let go of millions of eggs on still nights, after a full moon. It occurs when the tides are not strong and the water temperature is right. This ensures that there is a reduced chance of the eggs being swept away before fertilisation. To herald the spawning, reef life, little fish and shrimps become quite agitated. Then, small pink balls are seen coming out from the polyp mouths of the corals.