We arrived at South Minerva Reef this morning, anchored and got ready for our first dive. For six divers we load Thomas the tender up with about 750 kg of people and gear. The shallow reef areas are typical of reef flats anywhere in the tropics. But deeper the reef structure looks less diverse, and perhaps this is a sign of our movement south out of the tropics.
Reef flat at South Minerva Reef.
Photo: Richard Robinson, www.depth.co.nz
Today during our second dive at a bommie in the lagoon we were all followed by a very curious remora (Echeneis naucrates). It seemed to be looking for a host to latch onto. But all we were thinking about is where was the host that it left before it came to us?
A model toby (Canthigaster valentini) at South Minerva Reef.
Photo: Richard Robinson, www.depth.co.nz
By Dr Tom Trnski
