Marine Life & Conservation
Book Review: Guide to the Manta & Devil Rays of the World
Book Review: Guide to the Manta & Devil Rays of the World by Guy Stevens, Daniel Fernando, Marc Dando and Guiseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara
Manta and Devil Rays sit at the very top of many diver’s bucket list species of large marine life they would like to encounter whilst diving or snorkelling around the world. They are other-worldly creatures, with wing-spans that can sometimes take your breath away. A recent encounter that I had with a Manta in Socorro made me want to learn so much more about these animals and this lovely book is where I turned to do just that.
The book covers a host of information, including identification, feeding, predation, mating & their conservation, as well as a handy guide to how you should swim with them without disturbing their natural behaviour. It is packed with wonderful images and illustrations that go hand in hand with the information that each chapter provides. One of my favourite chapters, which is about feeding, demonstrates this perfectly, with images of the rays feeding using various strategies, along with an illustration to explain it all. This combination of media provides a wonderful visual explanation of the text within each chapter.
The final few chapters of the book cover the threats to Mantas and Devil Rays around the world and what is being done to protect them. In fact, just buying this book helps in their conservation, as the royalties go to the Manta Trust. The research and production of the book was supported by Save Our Seas. The authors’ passion for their subject and the importance of global conservation efforts shines through. This book works for many manta enthusiasts, whether you are a diver who just wants to know more about them, or a biologist working in the field, this is a book you will want in your collection.
The publication is a quality paperback with 144 pages of information about mantas, with images from a host of talented photographers as well as many beautiful illustrations. Published by Wild Nature Press. It is available from all the usual outlets.
Details:
Authors: Guy Stevens, Daniel Fernando, Marc Dando and Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara
Publication date: 14th May 2018
ISBN 9780995567399
Paperback with gatefolds
Extent: 144pp
Size: H 215mm x W 171mm
For more information visit the Wild Nature Press website: www.wildnaturepress.com.
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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