04 Aug CTC Hosts Manta Ray Tagging Workshop with Marine Megafauna Foundation

CTC, in collaboration with Marine Megafauna Foundation completed a 2-day manta ray tagging workshop at our office in Sanur, Bali on August 3-4, 2017. This international collaboration aims to support the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA) through the protection of manta rays using acoustic telemetry tagging and data collection, a method that provides scientists a way to study the location of species through the use of small sound emitting devices.

Receivers are strategically placed in locations underwater, while the small tags are placed on selected manta rays. As the tagged manta rays approach the receiver, a data point is recorded. This allows scientists to gain a wealth of information such as migratory patterns as well as social behaviors of these vulnerable animals. This information will further aid in the successful management of the Nusa Penida MPA.

The participants also learned freediving techniques from IUCN Ocean Ambassador and freediving world record holder Wiliam Winram. Freediving skills are useful when tagging manta rays in remote locations, and helps scientists get closer to the manta rays without the weight of scuba gear!