CNN
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Experience the explosive phenomenon of coral spawning season as the Great Barrier Reef prepares for the next generation of corals during a few days in the southern hemisphere every spring.
Some scientists even describe this as the time when the whole reef engages in reproduction.
The 2023 coral spawning, which began on November 2, involves the release of sperm and eggs by various coral species, leading to the formation of coral polyps as they meet on the water’s surface.
Beyond being a captivating natural spectacle, the annual coral spawning provides insights into the health of the 133,000-square-mile Great Barrier Reef, ahead of the southern hemisphere’s summer.
Anna Marsden, managing director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, emphasized the significance of this phenomenon, stating that it presents an opportunity for groundbreaking research to safeguard the reef’s future from climate change impacts.
UNESCO’s deliberations on whether to classify the reef as a “site in danger” have oscillated in recent years.
While the Great Barrier Reef avoided this designation in 2023, UNESCO stressed the importance of implementing recommendations to enhance the reef’s long-term resilience and has requested an update on its health by February 2024.
Coral bleaching caused by warming waters due to climate change has led to large-scale impacts, with 91% of the reefs affected by the sixth mass bleaching event, as reported by a scientific survey released by the Australian government in May 2022.
