To better understand coral reproduction in the Dongsha Atoll National Park, the Marine National Park Headquarters conducted the first investigation of coral spawning from May 19th to May 26th. After several night investigations, the research staff at the Marine National Park Headquarters was able to take record images of coral egg spawning on May 23rd. This is also the first time images of coral reproduction have been recorded in the waters of the Dongsha Atoll.

According to the Marine National Park Headquarters, due to the unique geography of the Dongsha Atoll, the reproduction processes of coral in this region have never been documented. To help solve the mystery, Professor Keryea Soong of the Institute of Marine Biology, National Sun-Yat-Sen University, assisted in determining the degree of maturity of reproductive glands of corals, and the first investigation of the coral reproduction was planned to commence from May 19th to May 26th.

After several night investigations, researchers were finally able to record the images of the Dongsha Atoll coral egg spawning on May 23rd. The first coral to broadcast their eggs was porite coral, which started releasing eggs at around 8:00 pm in the evening. At around 10 pm, coral in the Faviidae family joined in to release their eggs and participate in the reproductive ceremony. Researchers were excited to be able to record the moment of coral reproduction. According to the Marine National Park Headquarter, the record of coral reproduction in the Dongsha Atoll Marine National Park is a welcome sign of the thriving coral ecology in the park. As conservation is a long and slow process, in the future, the Marine National Park Headquarters will continue its effort in monitoring and preserving the coral reef, in order to preserve the biodiversity of the Dongsha Atoll National Park.

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The source: Dongsha Atoll National Park