This observational dive was on a reef with a drop off. There were few corals
in the shallower reef with Porites in high number compared to other corals.
The
Porites was also very successful with 90% alive. At 30m the coral was more diverse but 20% dead.
The bottom consisted
of sand, coral and rubble. Common reef fish were
present and fish species to note included batfish and angelfish and three black
tip reef sharks. Due to this time of year being the rainy season in the
Solomon Islands and a plankton bloom, visibility was poor at 15m.
We dived at night just off the ship's anchorage on the South East
side of Karumolun Island. It was also full moon so a very magical
dive was enjoyed
by all involved. The area consisted of sand, coral
and dead coral. Those alive consisted of diverse small species including Diploastrea,
Porites, Porites
fingersand Seriatopora. It was clear that these corals had been dead
for a long time. Many common small reef fish were seen as well as plenty
of crinoids, sea stars and sea cucumbers. Water temperature was 30°C and a southward current was present.
This site was a steep wall drop off.
The reef top was all rubble with approximately 15-20% hard coral coverage.
The dominant corals were Porites and Acropora with
many large sea fans. Marine life included a grey reef shark, a moray
eel, two large humphead parrotfish, two remoras, sweetlips, schools of
unicornfish, false fusiliers, fusiliers along with many anthias and
snappers. The average water temperatures during these dives was 30°C.
This was another wall dive which comprised of coral and coral
rubble. In one area approximately 20m²
area of wall there were at least five crown of thorns
and during all dives there were areas dotted with bright white
corals which
had been grazed upon by
these predatory sea stars. The wall also
contained a lot of soft corals along with many tunicates and sponges
deeper down. On the dives two sharks were seen along with many
fusiliers, damsels, also snappers, trevallies, goatfish,
unicornfish, batfish and humphead parrotfish. The visibility on all
dives at this site was approximately 30m. There was a slight current and
the water
temperature was 30°C.
tional dive was on a reef with a drop off. There were few corals
in the shallower reef with Porites in high number compared to other corals.
The
Porites was also very successful with 90% alive. At 30m the coral was more diverse but 20% dead.
The bottom consisted
of sand, coral and rubble. Common reef fish were
present and fish species to note included batfish and angelfish and three black
tip reef sharks. Due to this time of year being the rainy season in the
Solomon Islands and a plankton bloom, visibility was poor at 15m.
by all involved. The area consisted of sand, coral
and dead coral. Those alive consisted of diverse small species including Diploastrea,
Porites, Porites
fingers
and Seriatopora. It was clear that these corals had been dead
for a long time. Many common small reef fish were seen as well as plenty
of crinoids, sea stars and sea cucumbers. Water temperature was 30°C and a southward current was present.
site was a steep wall drop off.
The reef top was all rubble with approximately 15-20% hard coral coverage.
The dominant corals were Porites and Acropora with
many large sea fans. Marine life included a grey reef shark, a moray
eel, two large humphead parrotfish, two remoras, sweetlips, schools of
unicornfish, false fusiliers, fusiliers along with many anthias and
snappers. The average water temperatures during these dives was 30°C.
had been grazed upon by
these predatory sea stars. The wall also
contained a lot of soft corals along with many tunicates and sponges
deeper down. On the dives two sharks were seen along with many
fusiliers, damsels, also snappers, trevallies, goatfish,
unicornfish, batfish and humphead parrotfish. The visibility on all
dives at this site was approximately 30m. There was a slight current and
the water
temperature was 30°C.