Rare Nursery for Manta Rays Confirmed

Scientists have confirmed through research that a rare sanctuary for juvenile reef rays (Mobula Alfredi) is located in Wayag Lagoon [photo below] in Papua New Guinea's (Indonesia) isolated Raja Ampat archipelago. Observations from 2013 to 2021 show young rays congregate in the shallow, sheltered lagoon without adults and do not leave for months.  Rays are already protected under Indonesian law, but authorities are beginning to revise how the lagoon is managed to prevent human disturbance of the juveniles.  Raja Ampat clear, calm waters and diverse marine life draw divers from all over the world,

Confirmation of nurseries are rare to science.  There must be evidence that juveniles frequent the site and stay there for extended periods of time, and that the site is repeatedly used in the same manner according to a 2007 study on juvenile sharks.  Four nurseries are thought to exist in the archipelago, making Raja Ampat a key resource for manta ray reproduction along with Komodo National Park.  The team's research lead by New Zealand researcher from the University of Aukland was published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. [photo credit: U. Aukland]. It may be that ocean manta rays, Mobula birostris, use New Zealand waters for a nursery, possibly in Hauraki Gulf.  But more research on this possibility needs to be done before a nursery site is confirmed,    

Manta rays are graceful and intelligent creatures that have an extremely streamlined body plan that allows them to literally fly through the water. ;Until recently, they have also been mysterious animals. Science has begun to study them in earnest, learning more abut their lives and habits. Oceanic mantas are endangered and reef mantas are vulnerable.  More knowledge of their ecology will help prevent their extinction in the wild. Lead researcher, Edy Setyawan told interviewers,“In the manta nursery zone, tourists and visitors will still be allowed to view and interact with the manta rays under a strict code of conduct, but no fishing is allowed,” says Setyawan. “Other regulations being formulated include limiting boat speeds to a maximum of five knots within the lagoon and stipulating specific areas where visiting yachts and boats can moor without disturbing the juvenile rays.”  Raja Ampat is a protected marine reserve, but unfortunately rays are targeted for their gill plates, which are used in Chinese folk medicine.