“In Mantas We Trust,” Maldives, Mozambique and the Rising Manta World

Image Manta Trust collaged with US Dollar 

“Found in the northern Lhaviyani Atoll (a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport), this minuscule island is fringed by aquamarine waters so startlingly flush with sea life that even regular visitors to the Maldives will likely be astounded by the spectacles so easily accessed…”

“Spectacular underwater adventures in Hurawalhi Maldives, where manta rays and dolphins come to play…” Telegraph Ultratravel reported on March 7.

We all know that Maldives is a hotspot for Manta Ray giant contact. Sustainable eco-tourism reaps benefits for conservation, local communities and Manta research allowing some kind of contact. And this we all know as well... but what we don't know is due to the global distribution of Manta Rays there are numerous other locations just as breathtaking to come in close contact with Manta Rays...and Mozambique is one of them.  

Marine Science Today reported on March 1 that Manta Rays are worth Millions in Mozambique. A new study from the Marine Megafauna Foundation found that the impact is exactly of 34 million USD.

“Using data from 478 tourist expenditure surveys, 15 stakeholder surveys, and yearly diver statistics, the foundation determined that manta ray tours have a direct economic impact of US$34 million annually. Without manta rays, between $16.1 and 25.7 million would be lost each year,” Marine Science Today reported.

The report “A Giant Opportunity: The Economic Impact of Manta Rays on the Mozambican Tourism Industry—An Incentive for Increased Management and Protection” was welcomed by oceanographers and Manta lovers.

The Marine Megafauna Foundation of Mozambique is relatively new it was created in 2009 and it is not only interested in tourism it has its hands on research, protection and conservation of what they explain are “large populations of the Mozambique Megafauna”. The population includes sharks, rays, marine mammals and turtles.

“These animals are key components of marine ecosystems but, as they are long-lived and have low reproductive rates, their populations are usually the first to be reduced by human pressures. Fortunately, they are also amongst the most charismatic animals on the planet and engender a high degree of public interest in their biology and conservation, making them useful ambassadors for the whole marine environment,” the Foundation explains.

Operating from Tofo Beach along with the Manta Ray and Whale Shark Research Centre they have constructed an international hotspot for both manta rays and whale sharks. The area is looking into development.

Telegraph reported from Maldives -region which has been growing with Mantas for the past decade. Today the islands are blooming in beauty and economy.

“With 120 or so luxury resorts now operational in the Maldives, newcomers keen to break into this lucrative market are debuting bigger spas, more sophisticated restaurant concepts and increasingly experimental interiors. Found in the northern Lhaviyani Atoll (a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport), this minuscule island is fringed by aquamarine waters so startlingly flush with sea life that even regular visitors to the Maldives will likely be astounded by the spectacles so easily accessed, ” Telegraph reported on the growth of new touristic locations.  

Ingentaconnect published the Mozambique Manta Ray opportunity paper. Highlighting that as threatened species they require protection.

“As iconic megafauna species, they are also major draw cards for wildlife tourism industries. Economic valuation of these industries can provide an incentive for the protection of species and natural habitats through the creation of Marine Protected Areas MPAs,” the paper reads.

Marine Megafauna Foundation has something for tourists which want more than just swimming in Manta Rays water. They are calling for volunteers for their expeditions.

“Who wouldn’t want to get more involved in something that they are passionate about? To that end Dr. Andrea Marshall. and Dr. Simon Pierce. have always encouraged people to take a proactive approach to their travel or ocean hobbies,” the Foundation calls.

“Making a difference out in the field and playing a role in the protection of our oceans is a rewarding and life changing experience, ” Dr. Marshall added.

“Demand from their supporters combined with the need to fund our international research has inspired the Marine Megafauna Foundation to create several incredible public expedition options,” the Foundation explains.

They call their expeditions Ray of Hope Expeditions and are -Underwater Volunteer Opportunities which allow members of the generation public to join the Foundation in their research.

From aggregations sites, to Manta Ray encounters and learning from local marine biologists the Foundation promises a good ride for it all.

White Wolf Pack reported that Manta Rays are now being called the Pandas of the Seas -iconic ocean specie which could recover successfully.

Dr. Marshall of the Marine Megafauna Foundation spoke to NBC News.

 

“They’re such an iconic species, beloved by divers,” Dr. Marshall told NBC News. “They’re just amazing.”

White Wolf Pack assures that Manta Rays and Pandas have much in common. “Just as scientists still haven’t been able to confirm the number of pandas in the wild, they also have no idea how many manta rays exist.,” the media reported.

From the UK the Director of Manta Trust Guy Stevens recognized the missing gap of information on Manta Populations worldwide.

“If they’re lucky, (manta rays) have two pups (over several years). That’s a very low reproductive rate, especially compared to your average fish,” Dr. Heidi Dewar -Biologist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center -NOAA added.

Despite all the mysteries some Manta secrets have already been put to play by our society. Science reveals Manta Rays have a unique immune system which requires professional non-intrusive study and other sectors of our society recognize other values as well as in the specie.

The natural buoyancy of Manta Rays, their ability to deal with pressure, their silent navigation, long distance migration and psychomotor ecological behaviour are being riddled out.

NASA for decades has been inspíred by the anatomy of Manta Rays and used it several times in designs of aircrafts and spacecrafts.

But Manta Ray biomimetics -that is right the technology that imitates biology, does not end at NASA research centers. Lately developments in ocean robotics have been looking into Manta Rays to give baseline to their innovations.

Recently Los Angeles High Tech reported that Robots are now Bio-Inspired. “In the College-Level Soft Robotics Design Competition, the team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute  WPI claimed first prize for their Bio-Inspired Manta Ray Robot,” the LA media reported.

Research Gate released a new report which assures that Fish-Inspired Robots are leading the way in design, sensing, actuation and autonomy innovations.

“Underwater robot designs inspired by the behavior, physiology, and anatomy of fishes can provide enhanced maneuverability, stealth, and energy efficiency. Over the last two decades, robotics researchers have developed and reported a large variety of fish-inspired robot designs,” the obvious comes clear.

Elements like waterproofing, navigation designs, autonomy and behaviour are admired by the new techy savvy developers. The paper ran by Research Gate details open research issues which are being pressed for further development. For this new study Robotics needs to learn it all from Fish and the Ocean.

Manta Trust with more than a decade working in the Maldives has a tight eye on how Manta Ray tourism should work. They released early this Month -March 2017 a complete “Guide for Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism”. And Manta Trust did not just come out with this guide alone they teamed up with perhaps the most recognized international diving community and its general public involvement research arm PADI and its Project AWARE. Along with the WWF they joined forces to create the World's first “Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism Guide for Best Practice”.

“Shark and ray tourism is on the rise globally. If current trends continue, the numbers of shark related tourism could more than double over the next twenty years. The Guide, developed in collaboration with science and industry, aims to create well managed shark and ray tourism operations, conserve species, and benefit local communities,” Manta Trust explains.

“One in four shark and ray species is facing an increased threat of extinction due primarily to overfishing. Responsible shark and ray related ecotourism can be a powerful, complementary conservation strategy. It can also serve as an important supplementary source of income benefiting operators and the local communities alike,” the organization kicked it.

Mozambique is just one of the World Regions which is on the Manta Rise...there are several other locations on the same path…some countries like Maldives while still affected are already established into the Manta Ray World Tourism Circuit, others want to tap in...it is all about the Manta Giants. Legends of the Sea…

“…We spotted our first minutes after departure: a ghostly figure that swayed a few moments just under the water’s surface before abruptly disappearing. Our next sighting came on our return to the resort some two hours later, when just 200 metres from the shoreline we saw a further four drift past lazily. Placid and languid, they lingered as we dipped into the water and spent some 15 minutes feeding obliviously as we snorkeled overhead….” Ultratravel Telegraph reported from underwater in full glory of Manta Ray contact.