Protect Manta Rays
Even though they are related to Sharks, Manta Rays are not dangerous.
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The Manta is unique - it is the first fish to pass the Mirror Test.
The Manta Ray (Mobula) is a fascinating creature that seems not to be of this world. Underwater in tropical and subtropical oceans, they move similarly to flying birds and are closely related to Stingrays and Sharks. It was not until 2020 that the Manta Ray acquired the status of endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The name ‘Manta’ comes from Portuguese or Spanish and means cloak or blanket. Manta Rays are sometimes referred to as "devil fish" because of the pair of lobes on the head that have the appearance of horns.
Manta, Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico. Source: Pixabay
Manta Rays move by flapping their fins, reminiscent of the flight of birds. These fins are highly flexible on both sides, allowing the Manta to maximize the force of the stroke. When swimming calmly, the Manta performs one movement of the fins at intervals of 4 to 5 seconds. When it needs to escape from a predator, it can** develop speeds of up to 15 mph**.
Although we do not have accurate data, we know that Mantas** live to be more than 50 years old**.
Manta Rays belong to the Mobulidae family. They were assigned to the Devil Fish (Mobula) in 2017 on the basis of DNA analysis and a very close relationship. In total, this group includes 11 species, 2 of which are Mantas (plus 1 so far, unofficially). Similarly to Sharks and Stingrays, these are cartilaginous fish. This means that they do not have a classic bony skeleton, but a cartilaginous one.
M. birostris at Socorro Island. Source: Wikipedia
Giant Manta Ray (Mobula birostris) It is also known as the Oceanic Manta Ray and is 23 ft wide and weighs 6 600 lb. As the name suggests, this is the largest representative of its kind in the world. Moreover, it has another primacy, i.e. it has the largest ratio of brain to body size of all fish! The Manta brain weighs up to 7 oz and is 5 to 10 times larger than the brain of a Whale Shark, which has 10 times the body weight of a Manta.
Comparison of the size of a Giant Manta Ray with a human. Source: viaGood
The Giant Manta Ray usually occurs in tropical and subtropical waters, but can also be found in temperate waters. Unlike the Reef Manta Ray, it is an oceanic species and spends most of its life far from the mainland, often found in the coastal waters of oceanic islands. It travels with the currents and migrates to nutrient-rich areas with good zooplankton availability.
**According to the ** IUCN Red List the Giant Manta Ray is listed as endangered.
Distribution map of Oceanic Manta Ray. Source: viaGood
Did you know… Manta intelligence is extraordinary - they are the first fish to pass the Mirror Test, i.e. they are aware of themselves when looking in a mirror.
What is the Mirror Test? The Mirror Test verifies whether the animal in question recognizes itself in a mirror, whether it realizes that it is seeing its own image, and thus has a certain idea of its own self.
Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) at Dharavandhoo Thila, Maldives. Source: Wikipedia
Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) These are usually 9.8 to 11.5 ft wide, and reach a maximum size of about 18 ft. Like the Oceanic Manta, the size of the brain stands out among cold-blooded fish. Reef Manta Rays form communities in specific populations and build friendships, much like humans.
Did you know… in New Caledonia there are records of this Manta diving in search of food to a depth of up to 2 200 ft.
Compared to the Oceanic Manta, the Reef Manta Ray is usually found in shallower, more coastal waters. They are found in tropical and subtropical parts of the Indo-Pacific and several areas of the warm Eastern Atlantic. They can be observed in waters around Hawaii, Fiji, French Polynesia, Micronesia, Bali, Komodo, Maldives, Mozambique, Australia and the Philippines.
According to the IUCN Red List the Reef Manta is listed as vulnerable.
Distribution map of Reef Manta Ray. Source: viaGood
Did you know … each Manta Ray has a unique pattern formed by the spots on its abdomen, thanks to which scientists can identify and monitor them?
Although the Reef Manta Ray is slightly smaller than the Giant Manta Ray, they look very similar and the two species are quite often confused. This is also due to the fact that the areas of their occurrence overlap. An easy way to differentiate which subspecies a Manta is, is to observe the color pattern. These can be identified, for example, by the white spots on the head, where the Reef Manta has a T-shaped white spot and, on the other hand, the Giant Manta’s head bears the imaginary letter V. On the lower part of the abdomen near the tail, the Giant Manta has just a few spots, but the spots are dark colored on the edges of the fins. The Reef Manta has dark spots all over the abdomen, and an otherwise white belly.
Caribbean Manta Ray (Mobula cf. birostris). Source: Manta Trust
Caribbean Manta Ray (Mobula cf. birostris) The third, and yet officially unrecognized species, is the Caribbean Manta, which has its home in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It reaches a size of 9.8 - 13.1 ft, and a maximum of 16.4 ft. It is most closely related to the Reef Manta, although researchers found differences in a detailed genetic study. However, the valid relationship to the two above-mentioned species is still uncertain.
Distribution map of Caribbean Manta Ray. Source: viaGood
Like other cartilaginous fish, Manta Rays are related to Stingrays and Sharks. What is the difference between them?
Manta Ray vs. Stingray Manta Rays and Stingrays have a very similar body shape and many people confuse them. Unlike Stingrays, Mantas do not have a tail "sting" or spines. Stingrays move at the bottom of the ocean, but Mantas live in the open ocean. The Stingray's mouth is on the underside of its body, while the Manta’s mouth is along its leading edge.
Manta Ray vs. Shark Mantas, unlike Sharks, do not have sharp teeth. Mantas’ teeth are stunted because they do not use them to grind food. The teeth of the Manta Ray are rather like a tooth belt, which resembles sandpaper on the lower jaw.
Myth… There is a legend about a Manta Ray who jumped above the water surface and dragged a sailor with her into the water, where she embraced him with her fins and then killed him. Of course, it's just a story and nothing like that ever happened!
Manta Rays can jump up to a height of about 6 ft. Source: Pixabay
Manta Rays sometimes jump above the water surface and three types of jumps have been described: the Manta either jumps above the surface and lands head first, or lands tail first, or rotates the body before landing. Jumps up to a height of about 6 ft have been observed. At present, this behavior is not fully explained. It is believed that, during a jump, the Manta can get rid of old skin or parasites on the body. Another theory assumes that this is a form of play.
Cleaning Stations On coral reefs, Mantas visit "cleaning stations" to remove their external parasites. There the Manta rises up at an angle of approximately 40 ° to the seabed and opens its oral cavity, which is entered by the "main cleaners" - wrasses. Wrasses begin to clean the filtering mechanism inside the Manta’s mouth. Of course, they return to safety after performing this cleaning service.
IUCN Report: the Giant Manta Ray numbers have declined by more than 50 %.
The 2020 IUCN report states that the Giant Manta Ray population has declined by 50 - 79 % over the last three generations (87 years).
Unregulated Fishing Manta Rays were not the target of fishermen for a long time. But due to rising demand, the regional population has been seriously threatened in recent years and is largely disappearing. Fishermen catch Mantas for their meat, but their gills are much more profitable. These are used in traditional Chinese Medicine. It is said that the gills can cure a variety of diseases, from cancer to chickenpox and skin diseases and even help couples with fertility problems (although many traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners deny that the gills are effective).
Bycatch In addition to direct hunting, Manta Rays fall victim to the collateral damage of conventional fishing. Because Mantas have to move constantly in order to breathe in the water, entanglement in fishing gear always means death for them.
Pollution A large amount of plastic waste enters the sea and is usually carried by currents to the same places as the plankton on which Mantas feed. Mantas can simply spit out larger pieces that get into their mouths, but over time, the plastic breaks down into small pieces called microplastics. These are such small particles that Mantas can eat them with the plankton.
Tourism For divers, encountering a Manta is a fascinating experience, but **careless human behavior results in a number of risks **for the underwater world. Every animal underwater has a layer of mucus on its body that protects it from infection. Each time a diver touches a fish or coral, it removes this layer of mucus and the animal is then more susceptible to infection. The same is true of coral reef damage, where Manta Rays are often present.
Climate Change and Habitat Degradation Like other animals, Manta Rays are no exception when it comes to the impacts of climate change. These are reflected in the ecosystem where Manta Rays live (coral loss) and also in the availability of their food.
Sustainable fishing and cleaner oceans can save not only Manta Rays.
It was not until 2020 that the Giant Manta Ray was listed as endangered, and individual countries have gradually followed with direct protection and a ban on them being hunted. What else can we do?
More consistent protection of Manta Rays New laws need to be enforced more quickly and species that are not yet directly endangered need to be protected. Along with Conservation Laws, it is also necessary to supervise and control fishing vessels and to monitor fishermen's catches.
The Battle for more Sustainable Fishing Wherever people catch fish, there are by-catches – accidental capture of additional species such as Manta Rays. New technologies and equipment for more efficient fishing need to be developed and promoted.
Monitoring of Mantas To properly understand Manta Rays, their needs and their life cycles, they must be monitored. This will help to reduce conflicts due to encounters with shipping vessels, and at the same time we can learn more about the life of these fascinating animals.
Cleansing the Oceans Mantas are sensitive to pollution, due to the composition of their food. Increasing volumes of trash enter the oceans and this trend needs to be stopped. Stricter waste management policies in all countries and active support for ocean cleansing projects are needed.
Education The Manta Ray is a mysterious creature and it is necessary to spread awareness of its uniqueness, along with the threats it faces. Only through good information can changes be made that will lead to the better protection and salvation of this species.
Everyone can get involved:
Do not use Manta Ray products On an exotic holiday, you may come across a "universal cure" made of Manta gills. Remember that the healing effects have not been proven, and most importantly, that a unique creature had to die for this ignorant superstition. If there is no demand, the supply will also disappear.
Observation of Mantas If you like diving, you can also participate in the observation of Mantas. Use your underwater photos and contact conservation groups with them, which will use the data to complete migration routes, and also to define the number of Manta Rays in the oceans.
Recycle Waste is a threat to the entire marine ecosystem, and Mantas are no exception. Microplastics are the most dangerous to the Mantas’ food supply, as they cannot get rid of them. Proper waste management will reduce ocean pollution and thus help all marine life.
**Spread Awareness ** Use the power of social networks and you may be surprised at how many of your friends also like Mantas, but don't really know much about them. The beginning of help begins by realizing the problem and transmitting information about it.
The Manta Ray is a fascinating creature that seems not to be of this world. Let’s keep it in our world!
