Ok...I know lots of you dive extensively so I am hoping someone knows what I am going to describe. I have seen this twice now, shortly after the full moon during late afternoon dives (4:30-5:00). The first time was at Andrea II the second time at Bachelor's Beach. I'll be out diving and very slowly, but noticeably, a white haze will start to appear in the water. The viz gets pretty bad. At Andrea II, I first noticed it come up the reef from the north. At Bachelor's Beach, it looked like it just climbed up the slope. Very odd. The haze is all encompassing, so I know it is not a big school of goat fish. LOL! Is this a natural phenomenon? If I were in a large pond or quarry, I would assume some type of turnover. However that is not an oceanic phenomenon. Has anyone else seen this?

I wanted to add that the fish went nuts during this period. Everyone was down on the reef darting around. And they paid no attention to each other as they all appeared to be busy.

My guess it is some sort of upwelling. When we were there in March there was heavy surge which stirred up everything. The fish were crazy and many more that normally hide in the reef were out and about feeding. A manta ray was also spotted during that time.

So next time you hear someone complain about lousy visibility, there's an upside to whale snot in the water.

Tribs, have you asked the folks at the dive shop?

Tribs,

Jerry Ligon at BD&A would be a good person to ask. Or Caren Ekrich.

BC: haven't asked the shop people. Will do that in the AM. Glen: if I see Caren again, I will be certain to ask her.

I've gotten some theories so far:
Upwelling (not just from Cecil)
Coral Spawning linked to the full moon
Run off (don't think this one is correct)

I will see what others have to say. It is pretty cool to see everything turn milky white. At first it gave me the creeps at Andrea II. I think it was because I was concerned about finding my coral head for exit, viz got that bad. At Bachelor's Beach it was pretty awesome and I swam during it. The fish were so excited and low to the reef (including the Chromis). And yes, night critters came out for the fun too. Whomever is here next month will have to see if it happens again.

Tribs

Maybe Fish spawning

Sue just suggested maybe Sponges spawning

Brian, I was thinking sex on the reef as well. I am not sure how excited fish get at upwellings, usually i just brings a lot of sediment up from the bottom that craps up vis (at least that's what happens here locally).

Tribs, would be interested to hear what it is.

Last September, at Oil Slick, we encountered this. A tanker truck was just finishing dumping something into the sea. I asked the driver and he said it was clean water. When we entered we encountered the "cloud" moving north. We tried diving North but couldn't see. The light current was moving the cloud north so we went south.

The tanker truck had a white polyethelyene tank on the back and a gold crest label on the door.

probably sponges spawning...it occurred several days last month