A pink liquid was found floating on the surface of the sea to the west of Houbihu fishing harbor‘s shipping lane on the morning of May 17. It was originally reported as an oil spill, however, inspection by Kenting National Park staff found that it was a strange sight resulting from the spawning of coral in the area during the previous night.

The coral eggs wound along the coast for about 200 meters, forming a pink strip near the seawall. The coral eggs were dispersed by the waves when they reached the pebble beach, turning the sea pink, making the sea look like it had been made-up and creating a beautiful sight. Records show that coral reproduces about one week after the full moon in the 3rd or 4th Lunar month, only once a year. Dive instructor Cai Yong-chun said he observed the coral spawn near the water outlet a few nights ago and found that the spawning was larger in scale than he has seen for many years. Dr. Duan Wen-hong of National Museum of Marine Biology’s Department of Planning and Research said that he has only seen this phenomenon overseas and it is the first time he has seen it in the 12 years that he has been engaged in coral research in the ocean at Kenting, showing the effectiveness of the marine habitat conservation efforts of Kenting National Park.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Kenting National Park Headquarters