News

Tourists key to future of rare manta nursery

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2019

Scientists from the Marine Megafauna Foundation and Murdoch University are reporting a large number of juvenile manta rays in the waters of Nusa Penida, a small island 18km southeast of Bali, suggesting the area may be a nursery for this threatened species.

Reef mantas (Mobula alfredi), which grow up to 5m, tend to reside and feed in shallow, coastal habitats. They also visit ‘cleaning stations’ on coral reefs to have parasites or dead skin picked off by small fish. In Nusa Penida, they are present year-round making the Marine Protected Area (MPA) a snorkeling and diving hotspot.

One of the popular dive sites (Manta Bay) described in this new study is predominantly frequented by juvenile males looking for food. Some are as small as 1.5m in disc width on first sighting, providing strong evidence that the site forms part of a nursery habitat and foraging ground for the local reef manta population. Most individuals have been seen repeatedly across multiple years.

Image: Simon Pierce (www.simonpierce.com)

“Where manta rays are born and grow up still baffles us. Our research in Indonesia suggests there might be a reef manta nursery in the Nusa Penida area and possibly also in the famous Raja Ampat archipelago”, said lead author Elitza Germanov. “It’s really important for us to know where these nurseries are. They provide a safe space for young, vulnerable manta rays to grow and develop away from the reach of predators.”

Interestingly, mature males and females seem to prefer Manta Point, a second dive site a mere 12 km away. Here, the manta rays are mostly observed visiting cleaning stations and engaging in social activity as well as courtship display during the mating season (peaking in May).

Nusa Penida attracts more than 200,000 tourists each year. Of the 11 main dive spots in these waters, Manta Bay and Manta Point are frequented most by tourism operators, putting the local manta ray population under increasing pressure. While manta rays are protected in Indonesia², there are currently few regulations in place to manage the growing tourism industry.The number of boats allowed to enter manta ray habitats is not limited and codes of conduct for manta ray interactions are voluntary. The average annual number of boats present at the two manta ray sites has increased by 60% since 2012 and tourism is highest during the mating season.

Germanov commented: “Large diving groups and boat engine noise can cause chronic stress to these vulnerable animals. Tourists may disrupt the foraging, cleaning and mating behavior of manta rays if they get too close, which can have serious implications for their growth and fitness.”

Limiting the number of tourism vessels allowed at one time and making codes of conduct for diving and snorkeling with manta rays mandatory are proposed as a way to minimize the impact from tourism. Seasonal closure of Manta Point could also be considered to protect the manta rays from disturbance during the mating period.

Artisanal fishing poses a further threat to the local population. During the study, 14% of manta rays were either trailing hooks and lines or had injuries and even amputations from fishing gear cutting through their skin and cartilage skeleton. While all fishing activities are officially prohibited in both Manta Bay and Manta Point, the whole west coast of Nusa Penida could be closed off as a precautionary measure.

Dr Andrea Marshall, principal scientist and co-founder of the Marine Megafauna Foundation said: “This is clearly an important habitat for reef mantas. In fact, the resighting rates in the Nusa Penida MPA are higher than anywhere else in the world.

“The two aggregation sites are very close to each other but used for different purposes. We still don’t know much about when and how the mantas move between the feeding, cleaning and mating grounds. Putting the pieces of this puzzle together will help us figure out how to protect these slow-growing animals.”

For more information about the work of the Marine Megafauna Foundation visit their website by clicking here.

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Marine Life & Conservation Blogs

The world’s 12 best places to snorkel with whales

Published

10 hours ago

August 3, 2021

Scuba Schools International (SSI)

Whales have captivated our imagination for centuries and snorkeling with whales is one of life’s best experiences. Whether you want to meet them in the tropics or under the Arctic sun, there is a whale adventure for you. Here is our guide to the world’s best places to snorkel with whales.

HUMPBACK WHALES

Humpback whales are found at destinations worldwide, making them easy to spend time with. These huge whales are known for their spectacular breaches and complex song and are just as rewarding whether you watch them from a boat or get in the water.

Tonga

If you want to snorkel in clear blue waters with humpback mothers and their calves, visit Tonga. It is one of the most popular places to swim with humpbacks, where you can choose from day safaris or longer trips. Just make sure you book early so you don’t miss out.

When to go: July to September.

Moorea, French Polynesia

French Polynesia is the perfect place to combine a luxurious getaway with a humpback whale swim safari and world-class snorkeling. There are endless snorkeling spots, beautiful beachside resorts and numerous whales. If you want to try scuba diving for the first time, the diving in Moorea is ideal for beginners. The reefs are pristine, the waters are sheltered, and you can swim with Moorea’s famously friendly stingrays whilst you’re there.

When to go: July to November.

Silver Bank, Dominican Republic

The Silver Bank marine reserve provides a safe winter haven for the North Atlantic humpback whale population whilst they gather to mate, calve and raise their young. There are various liveaboard operators that offer multi-day safaris dedicated solely to learning about and swimming with these charming whales. This is a great option if you want to immerse yourself fully in the world of whales.

When to go: January to April.

4. Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef hosts tens of thousands of humpback whales each year and is also a migratory route for dolphins, dugongs and manta rays. Lacking the crowds of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, it is the most peaceful place to swim with humpback whales in Australia.

When to go: July to November.

Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia

Hervey Bay – the world’s first World Whale Heritage Site – has been called the whale watching capital of the world, thanks to its abundant humpbacks. This conservation-focused destination is just a 3.5-hour drive north of Brisbane and offers day trips to swim with the whales.

Time your trip right and you can also enjoy the annual Hervey Bay Whale Festival and Paddle Out for Whales.

When to go: July to November.

Reunion Island

Réunion lies 550 km east of Madagascar and is a lesser-known humpback whale hotspot. With only a handful of people allowed in the water at any one time, it is a great destination for more intimate whale encounters.

When to go: August to September.

Iceland

Iceland’s rich waters are a prime feeding ground for humpbacks and offer a unique whale swim experience. Wearing a cozy dry suit, you can spend hours admiring these whales in Iceland’s incredible gin-clear waters.

When to go: June to August.

DWARF MINKE WHALES

These pint-sized whales grow up to 8 meters long and were only discovered in the 1980s. They might be relatively new to the whale watching scene, but they are wonderful to swim with.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Known for being exceptionally friendly, dwarf minke whales create truly memorable encounters as they swim around you, under you and sometimes even between your fins.

Hop on a minke whale safari at Cairns and enjoy. Go snorkeling or try Great Barrier Reef diving whilst you’re there to experience the incredible wonders of this enormous reef system.

When to go: June to July.

SPERM WHALES

Weighing up to 50 tons and reaching 15 – 20 meters long, sperm whales are one of the most sought-after and impressive whale species to swim with.

Dominica

The sheer drop-offs and deep sheltered bays around Dominica are perfect for sperm whales, and the females and calves stay there all year. After just a short boat ride from the coast, you will be swimming with these amazing animals in calm azure waters.

When to go: Year-round, though November to March is peak season.

BLUE WHALES

Weighing up to a staggering 200 tonnes, blue whales are enormous, and there are two great places you can swim with them.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the only places where you can swim with blue whales, watch them from a boat, or go whale spotting in small airplanes – which is arguably the best way to get an idea of their sheer size.

When to go: March to April.

San Diego, California

Baja California hosts the largest population of blue whales in the world every summer and there are a small number of operators that offer blue whale swimming safaris from San Diego. With small group sizes and week-long programs, they are perfect for maximizing your time with these huge whales.

When to go: June to October.

BELUGA WHALES

Beluga whales are easy to recognize thanks to their bright white coloring and rounded heads. These highly social animals are one of the most vocal whales and gather in large groups in Canada.

Churchill, Canada

Tens of thousands of beluga whales gather each year in Hudson Bay and the small town of Churchill offers unique trips to swim with them. You can enjoy close-up encounters with hundreds of belugas in the water, plus spot polar bears, moose, Arctic foxes and more whilst you’re there.

When to go: June to September.

If you can’t get enough of whales, read the SSI guide to diving with whales to discover even more destinations where you can meet these giants of the ocean.

Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for Scuba Schools International (SSI), wrote this article.

Gear Reviews

Tried & Tested: Typhoon International’s Totland Dog Vest

Published

11 hours ago

August 3, 2021

Nick and Caroline Robertson-Brown

Typhoon say about their pet flotation aid: “Our Totland Dog Vest is bound to be a hit with canine crew members whose safety is just as important as that of the rest of the family. The Totland Dog Vest offers the all-important buoyancy in an easy-to-spot bright orange tough coated nylon.

It is easy to buckle up and has a handy haul out handle and lead loop attachment point, making it easy to help your dog on and off the boat.”

Test Conditions

Location: Trefor, UK
Temperature: 20 degrees C
No of Swims: 4
Equipment Used: Gucci the Golden Retriever
Test Equipment: Typhoon Totland Dog Vest
RRP: £20.95

Review

The Totland Dog Vest is available in four sizes, and having consulted the size chart we went for the XL to fit our big Golden Retriever, Gucci. He is a good swimmer, so for a day at the beach does not need an aid to help him stay afloat whilst chasing his favourite ball, but if we were taking him on a boat we would certainly be using one.

The vest was easy to fit and the neck fitting was padded and looked really comfortable. Gucci certainly put up no complaints at wearing it and was happy to charge up and down the beach with it on. It did not impede his movement (both running and swimming) at all. The handle is really useful for close control, as well as being essential if we were to have to assist him back onto a boat or river bank. There is an attachment for a lead too, so for those who are training their dogs to swim or worry about their recall, a long lead can be attached to let them swim and have fun and still be able to get them back!

The bright orange colour is great to being able to keep track of your dog if they swim further away from you than you would like too. The float kept Gucci nice and high in the water and he was keen to try it out over and over again! It is a tough vest with secure clips giving you confidence that your best buddy would be safe if caught out in a current. We will certainly be using this to give our nervous puppy some confidence as he ventures into the water in the future.

Visit www.typhoon-int.co.uk to see the full range and to find details of your nearest stockist.

RED SEA LIVEABOARD : Wall to Wall : May 2021

Expires on:

Explore the amazing triangle of Red Sea Reefs - The Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone on board the brand new liveaboard Big Blue. With an option to add on a week at Roots Red Sea before or after.

Strong currents and deep blue water are the catalysts that bring the pelagic species flocking to these reefs. The reefs themselves provide exquisite homes for a multitude of marine life. The wafting soft corals are adorned with thousands of colourful fish. The gorgonian fans and hard corals provide magnificent back drops, all being patrolled by the reef’s predatory species.

£1475 per person based on double occupancy. Soft all inclusive board basis, buffet meals with snacks, tea and coffee always available. Add a week on at Roots Red Sea Resort before or after the liveaboard for just £725pp. Flights and transfers are included. See our brochure linked above for the full itinerary.

This trip will be hosted by The Scuba Place. Come Dive with Us!

Call 020 3515 9955 or email john@thescubaplace.co.uk

www.thescubaplace.co.uk

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