Reef manta rays open their mouths wide while feeding around Manta Ridge, one of their important feeding areas in the Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua.
Edy Setyawan
Edy Setyawan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
While they can travel vast distances, our research revealed reef manta rays in Raja Ampat live mostly within a relatively small underwater ‘town’ – which urgently needs better protection.
New research shows climate change can drive sudden ocean cooling too. This can have devastating effects on marine life such as bull sharks and manta rays.
A squadron of reef manta rays at a feeding site in Raja Ampat.
Edy Setyawan, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
This research provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date description of how young reef manta rays use Wayag Lagoon in Raja Ampat as their nursery habitat.