Insights into the visitations of oceanic manta rays at cleaning stations on coral reefs in the Bird's Head Seascape, eastern Indonesia

Frontiers in Fish Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2

Published: Aug. 16, 2024

The globally endangered oceanic manta ray Mobula birostris is believed to spend significantly more time in the open ocean than coastal areas. Nonetheless, Bird's Head Seascape (BHS) eastern Indonesia hosts a large population of this species (over 850 individuals), frequently sighted at coral reef cleaning stations and forming vital asset for marine tourism region. Despite this, detailed understanding movements habitat use wide-ranging within shallow (< 30 m) ecosystems remains limited. Addressing knowledge gap urgently required sustainable management ray-focused Here, we report results an initial passive acoustic telemetry study investigating by rays. Forty-one rays were acoustically tracked from February 2016 August 2019 array 28 receivers deployed known hypothesized transit points across BHS (including regions Raja Ampat, Fakfak, Kaimana). A total 5,822 detections recorded 16 all tagged individuals, 421 visitation events documented 37 out 41 providing valuable insights into their patterns stations. Tagged individuals detected receiver durations ranging 0.2 427.0 min (mean ± SD = 48 64 min). Notably, 94% during daylight hours (reaching peak noon), underscoring apparent diurnal pattern spent around frequent short-range between adjacent (5–12 km apart), with two-thirds 191 occurring neighboring southern Ampat. repeatedly three which previously only hosting rays, suggesting likely also utilize these Our provides important visitations local stations, will inform effective conservation efforts BHS.

Language: Английский

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Occupancy of acoustically tagged oceanic manta rays, Mobula birostris, in Bahia de Banderas, Mexico

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 170(10)

Published: Sept. 1, 2023

Abstract The oceanic manta ray ( Mobula birostris ) is an endangered species commonly seen at islands and seamounts; however, seasonal aggregations have been described in highly productive, coastal areas. Oceanic rays are found high numbers seasonally Bahía de Banderas, Mexico, a unique nearshore aggregation site for the species. We used acoustic telemetry to examine influence of environmental variables on occurrence 66 tagged over seven-year period from 2015 2021. Seasonal trends showed peak detections January March, another May early October. were present when temperature ranged between 25 °C 29 °C, southward wind speeds 3 5 m s –1 , westward speed 2.5 4.5 . Furthermore, rays’ presence was higher low tides Chlorophyll-a values 7 mg m3-1. Results also suggest that El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) had strong effect bay, which consistent with previous studies. south greater morning hours, suggesting during night they may move deeper waters, similar other reported studies devil rays. Our model suggested tag retention time 300 days. This study serves as baseline future management plans minimize impacts this population human activities occurring close proximity sites.

Language: Английский

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Population estimates of photo-identified individuals using a modified POPAN model reveal that Raja Ampat’s reef manta rays are thriving

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Nov. 15, 2022

The 6.7-million-hectare Raja Ampat archipelago is home to Indonesia’s largest reef manta ray ( Mobula alfredi ) population and a representative network of nine marine protected areas (MPAs). However, the dynamics M. in region are still largely unknown. Using our photo-identification database, we fitted modified POPAN mark-recapture models with transience per capita recruitment parameters estimate key demographic characteristics from two Ampat’s MPAs: Dampier Strait South East (SE) Misool. A total 1,041 unique individuals were photo-identified over an 11-year period (2009–2019) (n = 515) SE Misool 536). In models, apparent survival probabilities rates strongly linked El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. Our also estimated high significant increases (sub)population sizes both MPAs decade. Strait, size increased significantly (p 0.018) 226 (95% CI: 161, 283) 317 (280, 355) individuals. Likewise, 0.008) 210 (137, 308) 511 (393, 618) Regardless variation percentage change between years throughout study, overall shows compound growth 3.9% (0.7, 8.6) annum 10.7% (4.3, 16.1) Despite global decline oceanic sharks rays due fishing pressure last five decades, study demonstrates positive impact suite long-term conservation efforts, coupled influence ENSO events, on increasing abundance MPAs. underscores importance monitoring evaluate effectiveness management measures populations. modification standard model by incorporating represents important advance modelling that should prove useful when examining other populations highly migratory species likely have substantial transient

Language: Английский

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Southward range extension and transboundary movements of reef manta rays Mobula alfredi along the east African coastline

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 102(3), P. 628 - 634

Published: Dec. 14, 2022

Opportunistic in-water and aerial surveys in South Africa the analysis of contributed citizen science data have extended known range reef manta rays Mobula alfredi along eastern coast by 140 km (to Mdumbi Beach) verified first transboundary movements for species. Additionally, six new long-range dispersal records provided evidence connectivity with M. population off Inhambane coastline Mozambique. Five these captured one-way movements, longest which was an individual that travelled 505 from Praia do Tofo to Sodwana Bay 301 days between sightings. A single made a return trip Závora, Mozambique Bay, (a total distance ~870 km). These findings support Convention on Migratory Species listing species, suggesting regional management units are warranted this wide-ranging elasmobranch.

Language: Английский

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Geopark as a Participatory Collaborative Management Concept to Manage the Raja Ampat Archipelago

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 1163(1), P. 012021 - 012021

Published: May 1, 2023

Abstract Numerous and multi-level organizations from sub-national to international working in Raja Ampat Regency as the globally important marine areas world’s class tourism, yet gap of knowledge capacities with communities keeps distancing. Geopark exists a management agency that coordinates various programs implemented by multi-institutions interests within Regency. Approaching effective management, performs through three stages: 1) mapping relevant stakeholders; 2) designing participatory collaboration strategy; 3) encouraging collaborative works following strategy where roles each stakeholder are clear. Master plan were developed agreed 41 related partners clustered into 8 interest groups, who implementing 31 consists 84 activities. This resulting an increase documentation published biodiversity data, which empowered improved local government Ampat.

Language: Английский

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Indication of feeding ground inside the Manta Ray's cleaning station by investigation of the zooplankton community composition in Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(3)

Published: April 7, 2024

Abstract. Widiastuti, Borumei D. 2024. Indication of feeding ground inside the Manta Ray's cleaning station by investigation zooplankton community composition in Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1239-1245. Indonesia, hosts reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and oceanic birostris). Studies reported that these areas have functioned as nursery sites. However, food availability is also main attraction for aggregation. Thus, this study investigated abundance Sandy Spot, a manta's station, to indicate its other role ray's ground. Three sampling sites were located around bordered mooring. A plankton net collected samples with 100 µm mesh size, mouth diameter 30 cm, 1 m length horizontally towed from boat 5-10 min at speed ~2 knots. behavior was observed snorkeling surface waters. Results demonstrated only composed Copepod, consisting three orders: Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida. Among orders, Calanoids dominated (93%). These genera further grouped according their body sizes, whereas (Eucalanus, Calanus, Undinula) categorized large-bodied zooplankton. The presence water samples, Calanoids, Cyclopoids, which been rays' preferred prey, indicates area's This finding supported studies found where activity occurred absent no activity. More indications behavior, followed criteria.

Language: Английский

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Geological Heritage, Biodiversity and Culture Linkage in Raja Ampat Geopark: An Introduction

International Journal of Geotourism Science and Development, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 3(2), P. 88 - 100

Published: Dec. 31, 2023

Raja Ampat became globally known since researeh results revealed the magnificence of its marine biodiversity that was incomparable, and best tourism diving destination. As part Geopark, understanding science knowledge from various fields has been gradually curated in Ampat. This article will be an introduction to disclosure relationship between geological heritage, biodiversity, culture synthesized through literature studies, interviews ground checks conducted by parties. a result, at least three relations explained, i.e. (1) historical biogeographic events determined form thirteen terrestrial ecosystems present endemic species; (2) heritage dolines lagoons creates unique for certain (3) also inter-connectivity nature cultural values passed down Ampat's ancestors documented forms, like wisdom, folklore art rocks. In conclusion, we identified challenges future directions regarding this emerging field, which adapted into ecotourism implementation within Geopark

Language: Английский

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