Monthly Update for March
Hello!
What an action-packed time it's been across all our field sites! Our teams have been making the most of every opportunity – braving cyclone season in Mozambique to collect vital tracking data, using VR to give policymakers an underwater perspective at a national shark and ray conservation planning meeting, partnering with Bulih Bali for sea turtle conservation around Nusa Penida in Indonesia, and documenting a whopping 60 mantas during one survey in Florida!
These achievements wouldn't be possible without our amazing team members, like Martinho Said in Mozambique – the newest member of our national leadership team, following his promotion to Conservation Department Manager. He's already making waves at regional conservation planning meetings.
I'm excited to share these highlights from our recent work around the world. Read on...
Very Best,
Madeleine.
P.S Did you get a chance to check out our 2024 Impact Report? If not, here's a link for later :)
MMF Mozambique
Mission Blue Collaboration Workshop
MMF took part in a two-day workshop organized by Mission Blue to enhance collaboration among Hope Spot Champions, specifically regarding the Inhambane Seascape. The workshop promoted vital discussions on improving cooperation between organizations, tackling challenges faced by both conservation groups and marine ecosystems in Inhambane Province, and exploring opportunities for joint projects.
National Shark and Ray Conservation Planning
MMF brought the ocean straight to policymakers by offering our immersive marine virtual reality experience at the National Action Plan for Shark and Ray Conservation meeting. This technology allowed participants to experience the rich underwater ecosystems they're working to protect. Research Manager Nilza de Catarina represented MMF at this milestone event organized by the Mozambican government and WCS, which advances shark and ray conservation throughout Mozambique.
Beach Clean Up
Each Saturday the MMF team hosts community beach cleanups in Tofo, Morrungulo, and Bazaruto, with an energetic group of 82 young conservationists in regular attendance across areas. The Bazaruto group, based on an island that faces significant issues with marine debris, are turning this challenge into an opportunity – they're creating beautiful marine-themed sculptures and toys from recycled materials, a particularly innovative approach to beach waste management and environmental art.
Martinho promoted to Conservation Department Manager
We are excited to share that Martinho Saide has been promoted from Conservation Field Officer to Conservation Department Manager! Martinho has already represented MMF at the regional Marine Conservation Areas meeting in Maputo, making important contributions to the region's conservation planning.
Receiver Changeover in Morrungulo
Despite challenging cyclone season weather, our teams made it happen in Morrungulo! The Zavora research team (Nakia, Ed, and Emily) provided a training session for the Tofo research team (Nilza, Dercio, Simão, Sascha) to complete a successful receiver changeover mission. The coastal network of passive acoustic receivers that MMF has installed are constantly listening for tagged animals swimming along the coast. The beautiful conditions allowed the team to change the receiver batteries, download months of data, and even get a bonus leopard shark ID during the expedition.
MMF Florida
Guitarfish Research Expansion
This month we have had 48 guitarfish encounters and installed new acoustic receivers to track tagged animals – we also tagged 12 more guitarfish! We are expanding our research area from Palm Beach County down to Miami, and conducted our first surveys down there. We are excited to better understand the movements and define critical habitat for this threatened species. Our surveys also spotted dolphins, nurse sharks, hammerheads, and lots of rays :)
Community Science Guitarfish Project Launch
We're working on research using guitarfish spot patterns to identify individuals. We've launched our community science guitarfish project, where anyone can submit ID shots of guitarfish sighted in the western Atlantic. If you'd like to contribute, please send clear head shots along with location, time and date information. Check out our flyer above to learn how you can help build our guitarfish database.
Manta Breach. Photo: Bryant Turffs
Central Florida Fieldwork
Springtime is when the Florida Manta Project heads up north to study the aggregation of adult manta rays in central Florida. We've conducted 4 aerial surveys and 7 boat surveys so far. On one boat survey we saw ~60 mantas in one day! We've collected 15 genetic samples, documented lots of fishing interactions, observed courtship behavior, and collected 20 ID photos.
Inspiring New Young Ocean Advocates
We had a blast connecting with over 6,200 people at ManateeFest and the Biscayne Nature Center's Environmental Resource Fair! Visitors enjoyed learning about our research and playing Manta Matcher. We even taught a preschool class in Miami about the differences between rays and sharks – it's never too early to become an ocean advocate!
MMF Indonesia
Turtle Data Collaboration with Bulih Bali
We formed a new partnership with Bulih Bali, a turtle rehabilitation center in Ped, Nusa Penida. They focus on protecting turtle eggs and hatchlings, as well as rescuing injured turtles. This collaboration will improve our monitoring data regarding turtle aggregation in the area and foster local stewardship.
Our turtle monitoring work also continued despite challenging weather conditions, with dozens of dozens of turtles documented in the wild around Nusa Penida.
Abundant Manta Ray Sightings in Nusa Penida
The southern coast of Nusa Penida—home to manta aggregation sites—experienced unusually calm conditions and an abundance of manta rays. We’re making the most of this opportunity to collect as much data as possible. On one exceptional day, we even recorded 17 different individuals!
School Outreach at Santa Maria and Binus
Our team held two more school talks this month. Thania returned to her high school, Santa Maria Surabaya, to present on manta ray biology and conservation. Meanwhile, Janis led an eye-opening discussion on microplastics with the 5th graders of Bina Nusantara School Simprug. We hope these talks inspire them to protect the ocean.
RUV Data Collection Continues
Our collaboration with Indo Ocean Project is bringing exciting insights through Remote Underwater Video (RUV) data collection at manta ray cleaning stations in the Nusa Penida MPA. We're uncovering what makes these sites so important for mantas, with multiple individuals observed cleaning at the stations during recent deployments.
MMF Around the World
NEW SCIENCE! Mobulid Rays in Northwest Madagascar
Stella Diamant and her Madagascar Whale Shark Project team have documented an impressive 255 mobulid ray encounters around Nosy Be between 2016 and 2022. Giant devil rays were the most common species, with 165 sightings, followed by oceanic manta rays (60) and shortfin devil rays (30). The concerning absence of reef manta ray sightings since 2015 suggests a severe local decline. This research highlights Nosy Be as a critical mobulid habitat and underscores the urgent need reduce the threat of gillnet fishing on these threatened species.
Whale Shark Lab Work in Tasmania
From Tanzania to Tasmania, Dr Clare Prebble has been working with CSIRO in Hobart, Australia, analyzing whale shark tissue samples from our Mafia Island project. Using compound-specific stable isotope analysis, we aim to better understand the feeding ecology of these gentle giants.
Whale Sharks on the Move
We're getting fantastic results from the whale sharks tagged on the Biopixel Oceans Foundation expedition in Nov/Dec 2024 in the far north Great Barrier Reef – and some that we've been following for even longer! ‘Megashark’, a 7 m male whale shark, is still sending transmissions from his fin-mounted satellite tags 490 days after being tagged on the 2023 expedition. He's swum over 8,500 km during that time. You can see Megashark and our other tagged sharks on the Biotracker.tv website via the button below.
It's been a busy start to 2025 across our projects. From tracking marine giants to teaching the next generation of ocean guardians, every day brings us closer to our conservation goals. But there's still so much more to do.
We can't do all this alone.
Can you join MMF as a monthly supporter?
Your support is crucial in fueling these vital efforts. By joining us, you become a champion for our ocean planet.
Your membership directly contributes to:
Cutting-edge research on endangered marine wildlife
Empowering local communities through sustainable livelihoods
Educating the next generation about ocean conservation
Together, we can create a healthier, more vibrant ocean for all.
Thanks again for your support!
Dr Simon Pierce
Co-founder, Marine Megafauna Foundation
