Why We Dive
Love is in the Air
by Ev Schultz
(No. 5)
MOUSE OVER IMAGES TO ENLARGE!
Recent activities in the ocean reinforce why we dive…
every day is different!
It’s not every day you catch the rare sighting of sex on the reef….but it does happen! Those keiki (baby or juvenile) fish, turtles, crustacean, whales, nudibranchs and coral come from somewhere!
There have been at least three recent sighting of Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu) mating. Divers saw Honu mating in February at Roger’s Front Yard, and Zoe saw mating turtles while walking the beach in April near Cove Park. Additionally, Suzzy spotted turtle love close to shore… while taking Koki and Nemo (their Shih-Tzu sons) to Waipuilani Park for an outing.
Kim pointed out octopi mating at Pinnacle Point several months ago. Divers kept their distance to provide as much privacy as possible. If you’re unaware of how octopi mate, they sit side by side and the male passes his sperm to the female using a tentacle.
A couple additional rare sightings, the annual coral bloom occurred April 21st on the full moon following the spring equinox. Some divers complained “in good fun” how the visibility was so poor because of the high quantity of coral polyps in the water. Also, Ed took the Adventure-X group on Feb. 6th to Three Anchors where he spotted a Triton’s Trumpet with eggs. He returned the following week to monitor the eggs which hung down, attached to the roof of a large hole (puka) in the reef. The Triton’s Trumpet was upside down, in a position, as if to covet the eggs.
Spanish Dancer nudibranch eggs
Most mating behaviors occur away from the watchful eyes of divers and snorkelers where we may see only the result, such as the rose-like egg mass of the Spanish Dancer Nudibranch. Come watch the middle of the Pacific Ocean turn from “PG” to “R” rating throughout the year. The only thing missing is YOU!
Ev Schultz is an integral part of ERDA. She has managed the booking office for over nine years and is constantly being praised by our customers for her warm and friendly manor while dealing with our diver's needs.