Snorkelers and divers across the globe participated in a citizen science initiative, 'Connected by the Reef,' to observe coral spawning. Over 400 volunteers in 20 countries spanning 11,000 miles of the Pacific documented the spawning of *Porites rus*, a unique coral species known to reproduce in daylight. This global effort, organized by marine biologist Vetea Liao, aims to track coral reef health and understand the triggers for synchronous coral reproduction.
The observations confirmed spawning in multiple countries and revealed that spawning was delayed by four hours for *Porites rus* colonies at depths of 40m or less. The data collected helps scientists understand the factors influencing coral spawning, such as environmental conditions. This citizen science project highlights the power of collective action in marine conservation and provides valuable insights into protecting coral reefs.