We have had a perfect day of weather. Hardly a breeze and no swell into the lagoon. Even though we are anchored in the lagoon and the reef buffers the surrounding groundswell, a big storm washes over the reef and has caused havoc for some yachts when they are more exposed to the elements than they anticipated – hence so many wrecks in the lagoon of North Minerva.
We did some stunning dives today. The outer reef slope and front is in excellent condition. We are close to the southern limit of coral reefs, yet here the coral cover is almost 100%. Even a dive at a bommie in the sheltered lagoon is stunning. But one thing we have all noticed is a drop in sea temperature, down to 23-24ºC. Most of us have added additional wetsuit layers.
Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) with a remora (Echeneis naucrates).
Photo: Richard Robinson, www.depth.co.nz
By Dr Tom Trnski
