Reef manta rays are in decline globally – but new research finds one place in Indonesia where these charismatic rays are thriving
- Written by Edy Setyawan, Marine Ecologist, University of Auckland
Raja Ampat archipelago in West Papua is home to Indonesia’s largest population of reef manta rays, Mobula alfredi. They are not mammals, but cartilaginous fish that are related to sharks.
This species is characterised by late maturation and extremely low fertility, which make their populations especially vulnerable. Males start to sexually...
