A paper has been published in the journal Fish Biology detailing a 14-year study into the mating and courtship behavior of oceanic (Manta birostris) and reef (Mobula alfredi) manta rays. The study used behavioral observations, video and photographic records to catalog 229 courtship events in the Maldives.
The latest Earth Touch video features manta rays and is titled, “Manta Ray Somersaults.” This episode highlights manta rays. Earth Touch is a YouTube subscription that highlights amazing nature and Wild Oceans is the underwater specific series.
The Jakarta Globe reports that the Indonesian government has passed new legislation that protects manta rays within all of the country’s 5.8 million square kilometers of ocean and bans fishing for them and the export of their body parts nationally.
A study published in the Public Library of Science (PLOS) ONE journal has quantified the revenue that is accrued from tourism related activities associated with manta rays. In the 23 countries in which manta ray watching operations met the study’s criteria, direct revenue to dive operators from manta ray dives and snorkels is estimated at over US$73 million annually and direct economic impact, including associated tourism expenditures, at US$140 million annually.