Great Barrier Reef lit up in rare ‘underwater snowstorm’ as coral spawning begins

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The Great Barrier Reef erupted in a dazzling mass coral spawn overnight, creating a pink underwater snowstorm as marine biologists captured some of the most striking natural footage of the year.

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00:00Coral mass spawning is one of the most critical biological events that happen

00:08here on the Great Barrier Reef. It's the primary way that many corals reproduce

00:12and regenerate. Once or twice a year, triggered by rising water temperatures,

00:18lunar cycles, and day length, multiple coral species synchronize their eggs and

00:23sperm release into the water column. This timing is essential. By spawning

00:27simultaneously, corals drastically enhance their chances of fertilization,

00:33while overwhelming predators that feed on these coral gamets.

00:36Mass spawning fuels an entire ecosystem. The sudden increase in organic material

00:46provides a burst of food for plankton, fish, and larger marine animals, creating a

00:52cascading effect through the food net. In simple terms, if coral spawning fails,

00:57reefs cannot renew themselves. If reefs cannot renew themselves, the entire

01:02ecosystem, from tiny reef fish from turtles to sharks, begins to collapse. That's why

01:08coral spawning is not just a natural fascinating spectacle. It is the

01:13foundation of reef survival.

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