manta rays

May. 11/12

, In the News

First Satellite Tag Study for Manta Rays Reveals Habits and Hidden Journeys of Ocean Giants

Using the latest satellite tracking technology, conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Exeter (UK), and the Government of Mexico have completed a ground-breaking study on a mysterious ocean giant: the manta ray.

The research team has produced the first published study on the use of satellite telemetry to track the open-ocean journeys of the world's largest ray, which can grow up to 25 feet in width. MORE

Apr. 13/12

, AWARE Updates

Magnificent Manta Rays Deserve a Big Shout Out

Have you dived or snorkeled with a manta ray? Imagine a creature the size of your desk or even your bed gliding gracefully above you. Mantas can dive to depths of more than 1,000 metres, they roam the oceans in search of food, never resting, constantly swimming to survive.

It’s a magical moment when these captivating creatures open their giant mouths to filter plankton from the water. Known as filter feeders, they swim through the water funneling the plankton through their gills. The plankton is trapped in their gill rakers and swallowed.

Jan. 13/12

, In the News

The 'Million Dollar Manta' Being Killed Worldwide for Unproven Health Tonics

Manta rays are so popular with divers and snorkelers that a single animal can 'earn' more than US$ 1 million over its lifetime for local eco-tourism, according to a new report issued by the Manta Ray of Hope Project. MORE

Toolkit

manta cms special fact sheet FINAL 11 11.pdf

PDF

1.34 MB

Manta Ray Fact Sheet - Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) proposal

Nov. 28/11

Issues: Sharks in Peril

Level:

All Divers

Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) reached agreement to list the globally threatened giant manta ray under CMS Appendix I and II. Project AWARE with other organizations actively supported the manta ray proposal. National safeguards, as well as collaborative regional efforts to study and conserve manta rays, are urgently needed to avoid further depletion of these valuable and iconic animals.

Jun. 02/11

, Member Stories

Mad for Mantas!

The crew at Camel Dive Club in Egypt have recorded 15 sightings of Giant Manta Rays (Manta Birostris) during the month of May. They've developed their own sightings database to discover if they see the same individual more than once.

This was project was initiated by Dr Andrea Marshall of Marine Mega Fauna in Mozambique, who came to stay with the club in July last year. Andrea believes the mantas in Sharm el Sheikh are juveniles.

2-3 metres may sound big to you and me but Andrea is in contact with adult mantas daily which can grow up to 7 metres in wing span!

Manta Rays at Risk

They’re easy targets. Moving slowly through the ocean, often in predictable aggregations – these gentle, filter-feeding giants and their smaller cousins the devil rays - are being fished at an alarming rate.

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