New Study: Manta Rays Prefer Staycations Over Long Migrations
June 20, 2016 - A new study finds that giant
manta rays are local commuters and do not regularly travel far. Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography recorded up to six months of travel data from manta ray populations within the Indo-Pacific region. They found that the rays have a pattern of residency rather than long-distance migration. These mysterious underwater creatures are listed as vulnerable, and the findings suggest that local and regional management would be most effective in protecting the manta rays from overfishing and the wildlife trade.
Read more in this National Geographic article "
Manta Rays Prefer Staycations Over Long Migrations."
Watch: Camera Put on Giant Manta Ray for First Time Ever
A NEW STUDY FINDS THAT THE MYSTERIOUS MANTA RAYS ARE LOCAL COMMUTERS AND DO NOT REGULARLY TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES.
RESEARCHERS FROM THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY TRACKED RAYS AT FOUR SITES IN THE INDO-PACIFIC.
THEY WERE ABLE TO RECORD UP TO SIX MONTHS OF TRAVEL DATA BY TAGGING RAYS AND COLLECTING MUSCLE TISSUE SAMPLES.
THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE MANTA RAYS HAVE A PATTERN OF RESIDENCY RATHER THAN LONG-DISTANCE MIGRATION.
THESE FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT LOCAL AND REGIONAL MANAGEMENT WOULD BE MOST EFFECTIVE IN PROTECTING THE MANTA RAYS.
MANTA RAYS ARE LISTED AS VULNERABLE.
THEY ARE INCREASINGLY TARGETED BY FISHERMEN.
THEIR MEAT IS PRIZED AS A CULINARY DELICACY IN SOME CULTURES.
AND THEIR GILL PLATES ARE USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINE.
