Elkhorn Coral Spawning at Turtle Rocks

Spawning! Gamete bundles rise from an Elkhorn Coral colony - 10:50pm 3 nites after full moon (photo K Neeley)

 KML staff divers had the opportunity to assist FWC/FWRI coral biologists with the Acropora spawning project at Turtle Rocks (Upper Keys). Scientists from 7 agencies combined forces to monitor various sites in the Upper Keys to witness the annual event and collect samples.

Divers head to the reef to monitor for spawning

Diver Bill Ferrell rigging a marker buoy at sunset

Elkhorn Coral colonies (Acopora palmata)

Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) provides a sheltered bed for a juvenile parrotfish (photo C Lewis)

Moonjellies dancing in the moon beams