![]() ![]() ‘Manta rays appear to be sensitive to environmental disruptions such as changes to ocean temperatures and food availability. ‘While there is good news about this population, it is a cautionary tale,’ said Joshua Stewart, assistant professor with the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, and one of the paper’s co-authors. Some entangled mantas would swim directly to us as if to solicit assistance.’ Spot patterns on the ventral side of a giant oceanic manta ray identify the individual (Photo: Michel Guerrero / Proyecto Mantas Ecuador FMME)Īlthough the size of Ecuador’s giant oceanic manta ray population is relatively good news for a species that is currently classed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List for Endangered Species, the report concludes that continued observation is necessary to ensure the survival of the species.Īside from the immediate threat to manta rays from fishing activities, the authors note that ‘the uncertainty of how the future effects of climate change stand to impact the intensity of upwelling and productivity in the region,’ requires further study of the population to better understand how changes in the ocean may impact their future. These encounters always reminded us how intelligent these animals truly are. ‘Our team members could spend entire dives cutting away at the nets and lines- the mantas patiently cooperating, remaining calm, barely swimming, the whole time. ![]() ![]() ‘There were times I would find myself hooked and entangled myself as I tried to rescue the mantas, and I constantly worried about getting pulled into the depths once connected to the mantas and the lines. ‘Some of the mantas were so badly entangled with heavily fouled nets that the lines would embed into their skin, making rescue extremely difficult and dangerous,’ added Dr Marshall. ‘Every year we would spend dive after dive removing fishing lines, hooks, and, worst case, large fishing nets from the mantas. ‘I was shocked to see how prevalent entanglements were in the region,’ said Dr Marshall. MMF co-founder and the world’s principal giant manta ray researcher, Dr Andrea Marshall, found herself having to regularly free entangled manta rays during her research dives.
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