Guidelines for watching coral spawn

Advertiser Staff

• Wear a wetsuit or other floatation device to keep you neutrally buoyant in the water; avoid standing on anything.

• Keep your movements to a minimum so you don't stir up sediment or inadvertently break coral.

• Keep the size of your group small, guided by a trained naturalist.

• Consider using a red filter on bright dive lights; bright light may inhibit spawning and attract egg predators.

• Be patient; corals give no visible sign that they will spawn.

• Never touch or disturb corals; timing of the release of egg/sperm bundles is critical and can be affected.

• Keep boats anchored far away to minimize effects of bilge and motor chemicals.

• Remember, it's against the law to take or disturb any coral.

Adapted from "Reef Renewal: Hawaii's Unique Coral Spawning Events"