411 Dive Log Australasia April 2025

Diving from 1770, Agnes Waters

Semicircular Angelfish, Pomacanthus semicirculatus

The Southern part of the Great Barrier Reef around Heron Island is known as the Capricorn-Bunker reefs.

My first moment of pure joy began the instant I dived into the warm blue water. As I trimmed my buoyancy on the descent to the reef, the first thing I saw was a swirling school of dozens of pink hued Hussars cascading over the coral in that slow dreamy wave of serenity. What a magic sight! Close by furtive Butterfly fish peck at coral polyps. Angelfish cruise over the reefs and Rabbit fish trim the algal gardens. A White Mouth Moray snaps at me as I enter its territory. Barramundi Cod are hunting in the early morning sunshine. I spot a pure white baby Barramundi Cod hiding under a Table Top Coral. Overhead, a good size Spanish Mackerel cruises by to inspect us.

I spot an Egg Cowry feeding on some soft coral and a Painted Lobster in its hidey hole. We had great diving, the way the world should be! This part of the Great Barrier Reef is a Marine Park. It was so good to dive on a healthy reef where fish life is abundant and the corals are in great shape. Parts of Lady Musgrave Island and nearby islands are protected reefs in a Green Zone. That is, a Marine National Park that is fully protected. These coral sanctuaries are alive and in a natural state, just the way the world ought to be. The fish life is abundant, the corals are healthy and the wonderful serenity and busy harmony of the reef is clear to see. I often wonder how much coral disease such as coral bleaching, virus and bacterial

35 Dive Log Australasia #411 April 25

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