TWO Cairns-based scuba-diving tour
operators last weekend escorted customers
out on the Great Barrier Reef to witness the
largest live sex show on the planet.
Yes, conditions were perfect for what
was a primal orgy of coral spawning, with
ideal sea temperatures and a late full moon
slowing tidal flow and minimising the
chance of new coral on the reef being swept
out to sea.
According to Tourism and Events
Queensland, marine scientists predicted the
annual show to be one of the best in years.
Experienced Quicksilver marine biologist
Russel Hore (ironic considering the context
of this story, but yes, that is his name)
described the coral creation show as the
“Everest of seeing reproduction in nature”.
He added tides, weather and
temperatures were perfect in the night
session for eggs to fertilise and pop out
of the coral while plankton feeders were
asleep.
For those unable to bear witness to the
show, a second spawn is on track to occur
in the week before Christmas in the waters
around Lady Elliot Island – approx 1200kms
south of Cairns – where the ideal water
temperatures occur a little later in the year.
“It’s almost like you are experiencing a
pregnancy on a really small scale – without
the demand for ice cream!” Hore added.
