Mass coral spawning took place this weekend on Izena, Iheya and Noho Island. I have been waiting a very long time to see this natural wonder.

Coral spawn slick

Coral spawning takes place late at night during high tide. When many species of coral spawn on the same night it naturally forms a mass of gametes know as a coral spawn slick. These coral slicks eventually wash ashore the next morning. These brightly colored coral slicks give off a very strong odor that will stick in my memory forever. 

Coral spawn slick

Coral spawn slick art

Iheya beach – RW&B

While exploring the island we stumbled upon more bright coral slicks. We often explored beaches polluted with single use waste. As you can see our trash is a series problem in our oceans and the shorelines worldwide.

Coral spawn slick and trash

Pink Coral spawn slick

Look close and you can see single-use waste and micro plastic floating on the surface of the water

Coral colored spawn slick

Red coral splash

Noho Island had a thick smelling coral slick at the local fishing port.  A group of locals showed up to go swimming but immediately decided it was a bad idea and went to another location.

Noho – Fishing port

Coral spawn slick washed up

Noho fishing port

Learn more about making a difference, TEDx talk | Adapting to or Changing Environment by Shawn M Miller

 My Mission: To document and preserve the wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically  to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.  Shawn M Miller.