Mariner - Spring 2008 - (Page 13)

See the Great Barrier Reef— and so much more. You don’t have to be a certified scuba diver to observe these ﬂuttering fireworks of oranges, greens, reds and fuchsias. At most places along the Reef, the water is only 10 to 20 feet deep, allowing even those at the surface to soak up the entire spectrum of coral and color. The waters here are also some of the clearest in the world, with visibility of up to 65 feet. You can visit this amazing ecosystem on four upcoming cruises: 33-Day Great Barrier Reef & Southeast Asia Auckland to Hong Kong ms Volendam: March 16, 2009 29-Day Southeast Asia & Great Barrier Reef Hong Kong to Sydney ms Volendam: November 7, 2009 19-Day Great Barrier Reef & Indonesia Auckland to Singapore ms Volendam: March 16, 2009 67-Day Grand Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific Seattle to Los Angeles ms Amsterdam: September 26, 2009 You also have the option of visiting the Great Barrier Reef on a 4-night pre- or post-cruise package out of Sydney on many of our Australia/New Zealand & South Pacific cruises, or on an overland excursion from Sydney on our 2009 Grand World Voyage. they’re closely related. It’s possible this makes it easier for host fish to spot these “cleaning stations,” promoting survival of both species. Another hypothesis is that some poisonous fish—like the Clown triggerfish and the lionfish—wear certain colors and patterns to warn other fish to keep their distance. Kind of like King Neptune’s version of a Mister Yuck sticker. Hiding in plain sight Of course, fish can also use signals to deceive other fish for evil purposes. The predatory Brown dottyback is common in both yellow and brown forms around the Reef’s Lizard Island, where it preys on damselfish. The yellow form frequents the deep patches of branching coral favored by yellow damselfish, while the brown form hangs out in shallower spots where the darker species of damselfish live. Coincidence? Not likely. But perhaps one of the creepiest masquerade acts is that of the fang blenny, a fish that mimics a young, harmless cleaner wrasse. When an unsuspecting fish opens its mouth for a full-service cleaning, it may end up with a painful peck on the kisser. Looking for love It’s hard to relate to what it’s like for a fish in the Reef to find a mate, because we don’t live among 2,000 diﬀerent species of hominid. But in a place like this where so many diﬀerent fish intermingle, it’s a challenge for individuals to find others of their species. That may be why some fish lose their protective camouflage and become more brazen as they age, like the bicolor parrotfish that starts out white with an orange belly band and turns into a brilliant multicolored adult. Some fish, like the cleaner wrasse and blue-green chromis, are also known to develop stronger colors only prior to spawning. In the case of the blue-green chromis, it makes an almost 180-degree change— to a dramatic yellow and black. The reasons for all these colors and patterns may be as varied as the fish themselves. But whatever the cause, a visit to the Great Barrier Reef is sure to give you a new respect and appreciation for nature’s creativity. Look for additional sailing dates, itineraries and savings on pages 30, 31 and 33 of the Mariner Values section. To book your cruise, call your Travel Professional or 1-877-SAIL HAL, or visit www.hollandamerica.com. 13 Mariner Spring 2008 http://www.hollandamerica.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Mariner - Spring 2008

Mariner - Spring 2008 Table of Contents Black Pearls of the Sea of Cortez St. Lucia’s Drive-in Volcano Alaska’s Prolific Wildlife How Coffee Changed Costa Rica A Traveler’s Guide to Holiday Shopping Malta’s Last Stand Colorful Residents of the Great Barrier Reef Introducing Our New Website, a New Mariner Society® Director, a Face-lift for the Ms Prinsendam and More The Best Cruise Fares Currently Available The Ms Eurodam’s New Tamarind Restaurant Your Guide to Holland America Line Savings 2008/2009 Sailing Schedule

Mariner - Spring 2008

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