Manta Ray Protection in Komodo, Indonesia
Ocean Eye is proud to announce our newest collaboration with Dragon Dive Komodo and the Marine Megafauna Foundation in a groundbreaking research project to protect manta rays in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park (KNP).
Why Manta Rays Matter
Reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are among the ocean’s most iconic species, graceful giants with wingspans up to 5 meters. They are vital to marine ecosystems and a major driver for marine tourism, generating over USD 15 million annually in Indonesia alone.
But these gentle giants are in trouble. Manta rays are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They reproduce slowly; females only give birth to a single pup every 2–3 years, after a year-long gestation period, and reach maturity in nearly a decade. This means population recovery is extremely slow in the face of threats like illegal fishing, bycatch and habitat degradation.
Komodo National Park – A Global Hotspot for Manta Rays
Komodo National Park isn’t just home to the famous Komodo dragon; it’s one of the most important manta ray habitats in the world. From 2013–2019, researchers tracked over 1,085 individual manta rays in KNP, discovering strong site fidelity, seasonal movements, and distinct site preferences for feeding, cleaning, and courtship (Germanov et al., 2022).
One site, The Cauldron, appears to attract many young manta rays, suggesting it could be a potential nursery ground, making it even more crucial to protect.
The Research Mission
Despite decades of observation, there are still critical unknowns about manta ray reproduction. Scientists know that reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) have one of the slowest reproductive rates among all sharks and rays, but many details about how and where they reproduce remain a mystery.
This project is designed to fill those gaps, focusing on questions that are crucial for conservation:
- Where do manta rays give birth?
- How long is their gestation?
- Which habitats are critical for juveniles?
To find answers, the team is combining advanced technologies, such as:
- Underwater touchless ultrasound, to check pregnancy status without harming the animals
- Satellite tagging, to track movements within and beyond Komodo National Park
- Photogrammetry & photography, to measure individuals and identify them by unique spot patterns
Funds raised for this project will not only support these technologies but also cover essential logistics, human resources, and accommodation needed to carry out the research successfully.
By logging your manta ray sightings on Ocean Eye and making a donation, you’re not only contributing valuable data to this research but also directly supporting a research project that includes community education and empowerment, utilising the collected data to engage young Indonesian scientists.
