4 Things Scientists Learned After Tagging Manta Rays In Indonesia

photo credit: Shawn Heinrichs

Since 2014 Conservation International, the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, S.E.A. Aquarium and The Manta Trust have been tagging mantas in the waters around Indonesia with custom satellite tags. The goal of this tagging is to learn more about the mantas’ day-to-day behavior and how the Indonesian government can best protect the species.

With data pouring in, researchers are sharing 4 amazing things they have learned from tagging and tracking mantas around Indonesian waters.

1. Wayag Lagoon Is The First Documented Manta Nursery in South East Asia

Wayag Lagoon is on the edge of the Raja Amat archipelago – home to one of the largest populations of marine life on earth and one of the most protected areas in Indonesia.

After following a pregnant female into the Wayag Lagoon, researchers learned there were groups of newborn and juvenile reef manta rays inhabiting the lagoon and the coral reef areas. This discovery lead researchers to tag additional juvenile mantas.

The Wayag Lagoon has now been identified as the primary nursery and pupping ground for mantas in the region.

2. How Juvenile and Baby Mantas Use Their Home Is Very Different

As researchers tracked and followed baby and juvenile mantas, they learned some things that prompted quick action by the Raja Ampat government.

Researchers learned baby mantas stayed in the lagoon and rarely ventured out, staying close to the surface of the water. Their proximity to the surface means the baby mantas are at greater risk of being hit by passing speedboats.

This discovery led the government to introduce new regulations for the lagoon that are expected to be implemented within the year, giving baby mantas even more protection.

Unlike baby mantas, juvenile mantas venture out of the lagoon and into the open ocean. However, they often return to the lagoon and the safe shallows.

3. Reef Mantas Are Really Deep Divers

Before this project mantas were recorded diving as deep as 1,417 feet in the Red Sea off of the coast of Saudi Arabia.  Researchers in this study documented a manta that dove to 2,047 feet. This new record shows the incredible range of these animals which can help researchers and government agencies better protect their habitat.

Why are these mantas diving so deep? Right now researchers don’t know, but they think they might be diving for plankton, to escape predators or maybe even seeking a mate. Researchers hope to find out more over time.

4. Mantas Move Across Hunting Grounds In Indonesia

Manta eco-tourism has become very important to the Indonesian economy.  Conservation International demonstrated to the Indonesian government that each adult manta is worth more than $1 million dollars in tourism money over the course of the manta’s life.

But right now fisherman in parts of Indonesia are hunting and selling the manta gill rakes for $500 a piece.

This new research shows the mantas’ range and how they swim in and out of traditional fishing areas.

This new data gives the Indonesian government the ability to create the manta ray sanctuary zones to protect the species from hunting and allow for the local population to benefit from responsible eco-tourism.

The more we learn about these animals the more we can help protect them and inspire future generations to protect these incredible and majestic animals.

All of this wouldn’t be possible without researchers and organizations like the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore.

Learn more about this project at Conservation International