Encounters with Ocean Giants: The Mantas of Raa Atoll
August 10, 2024
In this latest Edges of Earth update, the team take a deep dive into the world of mantas with The Manta Trust and discover a holistic approach to marine conservation that considers marine life large and small. Read on to get inspired by their fascinating work and discover the mantas of Raa Atoll.
Welcome to Raa Atoll: A Conservation Hotspot for Mantas
We arrived at Raa Atoll in the Maldives right in time for the full moon, which is a big deal in these parts. Compared to other moon cycles, the tide’s power is compounded with the full or new moon, creating spring tides. These boosted tides bring a rich influx of nutrients and plankton from the ocean depths. This not only changes the seascape but also makes the waters a hub of marine activity. The increased food availability attracts a variety of marine life, especially manta rays. For over a year, we had been planning this critical stop on the Edges of Earth expedition.
We wanted to learn from the pros about the 5,700 mantas that call the Maldives home, and the 380 identified individuals found in Maamunagau Lagoon in Raa Atoll.
Instead of a mere introduction to manta rays, we actively participated in the research process alongside the Manta Trust, tracking reef manta rays, diving to gather ID data and collaborating with the team to turn research into actionable conservation efforts.
Meral Hafeez, the Manta Trust Raa Atoll Project Manager, explained that reef mantas, like many other marine animals, are in constant search of food. They consume up to 6 kilograms of plankton daily to maintain their energy, which is a LOT! So, the mantas seek a haven where they can roam and eat freely and safely.
The tiny creatures that mantas feed on act as the base of the marine food web and support a vast array of marine life, which is why many think of plankton as the ocean’s lifeline.
Plankton can be broadly categorized into two main groups: phytoplankton and zooplankton.
What is phytoplankton?
Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that photosynthesize, forming the base of the marine food web by converting sunlight into energy. Phytoplankton are crucial in carbon sequestration, helping to regulate the earth’s climate.
What is zooplankton?
On the other hand, zooplankton are tiny animals or protozoans that feed on phytoplankton or other zooplankton. Mantas primarily feed on this type, especially larger species—such as copepods, shrimp-like organisms, and even small fish larvae—filtering them out of the water with their gill plates as they swim with their mouths open.
Despite their massive size and how much food they consume, mantas can be quite selective about their planktonic meals, opting for the highest-quality prey when available. Maldivian waters are rich in manta-approved zooplankton, making this a prime location for them to congregate, especially during a full moon cycle.
Tourists who come to the Maldives to relish in luxury can often be found complaining about the "spots" that ruin their underwater photos of mantas. What many do not realize is that this is the baseline of life in the ocean and an indicator of healthy waters. This makes those spots some of THE most important creatures to photograph alongside the mantas, as they indicate that we might see these species here for a little longer.
Without plankton, nothing could survive. If zooplankton were to disappear, it would set off a domino effect that would ripple throughout the ocean.
Many fish species, from the smallest to the largest, would face drastic declines in their populations as they all rely on this kind of plankton. This collapse in the food chain would severely disrupt marine ecosystems, jeopardizing fisheries and the livelihoods of communities dependent on them.
As zooplankton consume phytoplankton, their absence could lead to phytoplankton blooms, which can produce harmful toxins and create oxygen-depleted zones, further stressing marine life. Basically, without zooplankton, the ocean balance would be perilously skewed, leading to widespread ecological consequences.
"Both zoo and phytoplankton are the foundation of life in the ocean. If you start removing these spots out of your photographs—editing them out as if they do not exist—you are erasing the most precious natural resource that keeps our blue world thriving," Meral explained.
When talking about mantas, our discussion always came back to plankton. That is because only thinking of charismatic species is a narrow view of the ocean. It is essential to recognize the intricate web connecting big, spectacular species like mantas to the less obvious like plankton, coral, seagrass and fish populations. A single-species focus risks overlooking the broader ecosystem’s importance.
Mantas, with their graceful presence and vast wingspans, often serve as ambassadors for the marine world. Termed "gateway" or "flagship" species, they have the incredible ability to capture human imagination and draw attention to the broader issues surrounding ocean conservation. Observing a manta glide seamlessly through the water can evoke profound emotions, creating a lasting impression of the ocean’s wonders and its fragile state.
This magnetism that mantas exude can be strategically channeled to engage audiences in larger discussions about the health of our oceans. When people learn about the threats facing mantas—like overfishing or marine pollution—it often sparks a deeper curiosity about the broader ecosystem at large. This can lead to questions about the health of coral reefs, the significance of marine sanctuaries, or the devastating impacts of climate change on the sea.
Using the magnetism of mantas as a starting point, conservationists can bridge the gap between public fascination with a single species and the complexities of the total marine picture.
By leveraging the allure of these majestic creatures, we can ignite broader conversations and interest in ocean conservation, ensuring a more holistic understanding of the importance of protecting the blue planet.
This is exactly what the Manta Trust team aims to do with the scientific work conducted in and out of the Maldives. In talking with Tam Sawers, the Maldives Project Leader, and Emily Hoad, Assistant Project Manager in Raa Atoll, we were able to better understand the scope of the work of the Manta Trust and what they are doing to reinforce this total systems perspective.
Since its establishment in 2005, The Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP) kicked off as The Manta Trust’s flagship research project. This has placed the nonprofit as the foremost authority on mobulid rays (including manta rays and their kin), with a storied legacy of accomplishments. Central to their mission are the three pillars: research, education and collaboration.
The Manta Trust has played a pivotal role in the IUCN Red List re-assessment, which categorized both species of manta (pelagic and reef) as "vulnerable" to extinction.
In its first year, the Manta Trust collaborated with the Ministry of Environment to develop a management plan for Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll following its declaration as a Marine Protected Area in 2009.
Hanifaru Bay is the most famous manta ray feeding and breeding ground in the Maldives and is known worldwide as an incredible place to swim with manta rays. The management plan for Hanifaru Bay aimed to ensure sustainable tourism and minimize visitor impact on the resident reef mantas. Receiving approval in 2011, it was fully implemented a year later—a major win for the organization early on.
Flashforward to 2017, the Manta Trust spearheaded a campaign named "How to Swim with Manta Rays," launched to educate tourists and operators about responsible manta interactions. Featuring multimedia tools and guidelines available in various languages, this has been widely adopted and heavily enforced throughout the Maldives. Another huge effort that cemented the organization’s presence in the country.
The same year, the Manta Trust’s Co-Founders, Dr. Guy Stevens and Thomas P. Peschak, released the world’s first book on manta rays titled "MANTA Secret Life of Devil Rays." This publication combined striking photography with advanced research, offering a unique look into the lives of manta rays, and sparking even more interest in the species around the world.
In collaboration with WWF and Project AWARE, the Manta Trust developed the "Best Practice Guidelines for Shark and Ray Tourism" as well. A critical move, as an unprecedented amount of people were flocking to vacation in the Maldives. Aimed at dive operators, governments and local communities, this guide was created to promote sustainable tourism practices specific to regional marine ecosystems.
However, it was not until 2019 that the Maldives saw its all-time peak in tourism:
With 1.7+ million visitors coming through the Maldives, action needs to be taken to balance the number of tourists and the preservation of the Maldives’ marine life.
For this reason, the Raa Atoll research team was established at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort. Now that tourism in 2023 is almost right back to where it was at its peak in 2019, this team is pushing for more protected areas, more research and more interconnectivity with the guests that frequent this remote atoll.
Recently, the research team submitted a proposal to the Maldivian government to create a Marine Protected Area around the Maamunagau Lagoon and nearby Fenfushi in Raa Atoll. If awarded, this would be yet another huge milestone for the Manta Trust, adding to its long list of accomplishments to date.
The aim is to increase protection for mantas that utilize Maamunagau Lagoon and surrounds, an area identified as a potential nursery ground for juvenile mantas.
The outcome of this would ultimately attract more of the RIGHT kind of tourism to Raa Atoll and push for better, more structured regulatory practices in the area as well. The Manta Trust team is only just beginning this process, meaning there is a lot more work to be done to seal the deal. An effort that they are anticipating will take a few years before it is realized.
As we watched the full moon rise over the breathtaking lighthouse at the Maamunagau Resort, we knew that our chance of seeing congregating mantas was high. Close to a dozen of these gentle giants, with wingspans dwarfing us, gracefully maneuvered through the ocean, with tiny plankton surrounding us in every direction. Far from detracting from the experience, the plankton enhanced it, painting a vivid picture of a thriving marine ecosystem we were fortunate enough to encounter.
At that moment, we fully understood what the Manta Trust has been working towards since its very beginning. So much effort has been put into studying these creatures—from the establishment of protected areas to guidelines and inspirational publications—all to unlock further comprehension of the ocean and its total ecosystems.
To protect majestic species like the manta ray necessitates a holistic approach to conservation.
With a dedication that transcends only the protection of manta rays, the Manta Trust’s long-term efforts serve as a powerful reminder of that. Their relentless pursuit to keep the ocean thriving ensures that mantas—in Raa Atoll and beyond—remain a symbol of a vibrant and balanced marine world for years to come.
Love manta rays? Find out more about these fascinating creatures and learn how to dive with mantas.