Marine Life & Conservation
Manta Trust joins WWDS in the Maldives and Thailand
Are you a manta lover and environmentally conscious? Then you will love what Worldwide Dive and Sail and the Manta Trust have prepared for you – two incredible itineraries in Maldives’ North Atolls and in the Andaman Seas of Thailand that are totally centred on manta behaviour and how to conserve them.
On both itineraries you will come up close and personal with manta rays with the help of Manta Trust experts. While the Maldives itinerary will mainly focus on manta feeding aggregations, the Thailand trip will be all about identification and tracking them. Both trips are designed for adventurers looking for something new and rarely offered in the Maldives and Thailand.
Photo: Glen Cowans
Formed in 2011, the Manta Trust is a UK and US-registered charity with a mission to conserve mobulid rays, their relatives, and their habitats, through a combination of research, education and collaboration. As part of this mission, the Manta Trust has teamed up with regional eco-minded tourism operators to provide ‘Manta Expeditions’—a series of liveaboard dive and snorkel trips that focus specifically on getting you in close proximity to manta rays, whilst imparting expert knowledge and skills.
Maldives Manta Expedition
This expedition on board the Maldives Master has been specifically timed to coincide with the most productive monsoon winds and lunar currents, which strongly influence the movements and feeding habits of reef manta rays. Explore the pristine and rarely visited northern atolls of Baa, Raa and Lhaviyani while looking manta rays.
Photo: Glen Cowans
Trip Leader: Dr. Guy Stevens, founder of Manta Trust
In 2011, Guy founded the Manta Trust, along with a collaboration of scientists, conservationists, photographers, filmmakers and communicators. His work with manta rays now takes him to other corners of the world, but for him the Maldives will always be the best place to see and study these amazing animals.
The Boat: Maldives Master
Boasting the largest dhoni in the area, Maldives Master has 13 comfortable cabins including three suites, a Jacuzzi, and seven social areas, including a sky lounge and bar, so guests can be assured they can explore these turquoise atolls in relaxed comfort.
When: 21 – 28 August 2019
More info: www.masterliveaboards.com/special-trips/manta-expeditions
Thailand Manta Expedition
Join the June Hong Chian Lee on this unique itinerary in Thailand, exploring the very best diving that this destination has to offer, taking in the highlights of Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Koh Haa, Phi Phi, The Similan Islands plus Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock!
Trip Leader: Jamie MonManeerat, Project leader of Thailand Manta Project
A Marine Biologist with a distinction from Oxford, Jamie spent 3 months in 2014 working with the Manta Trust in the Maldives. After countless hours in the water with hundreds of manta rays, Jamie decided to develop the experience and knowledge she gained in Maldives into a manta project in her home country. In 2015, Thailand Manta Project was established with the goal to research the Manta population in Thailand and increase local protection to manta and mobula rays in Thai waters. Since then, Jamie has been dedicating her time to educate and raise awareness on manta rays and marine conservation in Thailand and its neighbouring countries.
The Boat: The Junk
S/Y June Hong Chian Lee or The Junk as she is commonly known, is a restored teak wood Chinese merchant sailing vessel that offers a unique liveaboard diving experience in Thailand. With an experienced crew and great food served on board, The Junk is the most charming and distinctive vessel in Thailand. So distinctive in fact that she has been used for several famous movies! The Junk can take up to 18 divers in 6 air conditioned cabins, offering a choice of double cabins, triple cabins and quads – all of them with their own private bathrooms with hot showers.
When: 12 – 20 January 2019
More info: www.thejunk.com/manta-trust
Contact Worldwide Dive and Sail today at bookings@worldwidediveandsail.com to book your space!
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.
-
News3 months agoHone your underwater photography skills with Alphamarine Photography at Red Sea Diving Safari in March
-
News3 months agoCapturing Critters in Lembeh Underwater Photography Workshop 2024: Event Roundup
-
Marine Life & Conservation Blogs3 months agoCreature Feature: Swell Sharks
-
Blogs2 months agoMurex Resorts: Passport to Paradise!
-
Blogs2 months agoDiver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
-
Gear Reviews2 weeks agoGEAR REVIEW – Revolutionising Diving Comfort: The Sharkskin T2 Chillproof Suit
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months agoSave the Manatee Club launches brand new webcams at Silver Springs State Park, Florida
-
Gear Reviews3 months agoGear Review: Oceanic+ Dive Housing for iPhone