Monthly Update for May
Hello!
I'm writing to you from sunny Mozambique! It's fantastic to be back at MMF's spiritual home – and main office – spending time with our incredible team. I've been talking with project leaders, getting out on the water (whale sharks and giant mantas, yay!), and making plans for the next phase of our work in the country.
A major personal (and organisational) goal for the year is to ensure the smooth continuation of Andrea's scientific projects while she goes through rehabilitation, so its great to be making progress with that. I'm looking forward to visiting the Bazaruto Seascape this week and meeting some of MMF's long-time friends and collaborators in the region.
It's also brilliant that our long-term investment in staff capacity is paying off, big-time – our Country Manager, Conservation Manager, Education Manager, and new Research Manager are all Mozambican nationals who have come through the MMF system. They're all absolute superstars! We've certainly come a long way since it was Andrea and I sitting in a grass shack on the beach, and I love to see it :D
Enjoy this month's update!
Simon J Pierce, PhD
MMF Co-founder
MMF Mozambique
New Certified Divers!
Mozambican Research Fellows Dercio and Simao have completed their Open Water dive certification! This is a big milestone in their training, enabling them to start joining our research teams in the field and exploring the underwater world they're working to protect.
School Construction Progress
The construction of the school classroom in Morrungulo is well underway. The MMF team and representatives from the Irish Embassy visited the site and presented their VR marine conservation educational experience.
MMF Showcases Programs at Agricultural and Blue Economy Fair
MMF participated in an Agricultural and Blue Economy Fair in Tofo, coinciding with a visit from members of the Irish Parliament to Mozambique. The fair highlighted sustainable food systems, eco-tourism, recycling, conservation, and coastal management.
We showcased the activities MMF promotes and develops with local communities, highlighting ocean conservation and the country's incredible biodiversity.
Lelia Attends BRUV Workshops
Lelia da Gloria, part of our Mozambican research team, attended a regional BRUV (baited remote underwater video) workshop hosted by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in Grahamstown, South Africa. This workshop provided a valuable opportunity to learn from the experiences of other researchers using BRUVs and explore potential new collaborations in the region.
MMF Florida
Manta Tagging in Central Florida
The Florida Manta Project team successfully wrapped up their fieldwork on the adult manta ray aggregation in Central Florida. During this productive period, they were able to satellite tag eight manta rays, further expanding our knowledge of their movements and habitat use, and added a valuable new individual to our ever-growing manta ray database!
New Research on Cobia Fishing
In collaboration with the University of Miami, we interviewed expert anglers to better understand how fishing impacts manta rays, how it has changed over time, and developed best-practice guidelines for safe cobia fishing around manta rays.
To learn more about the intricate relationship between fishermen, cobia, and manta rays, you can access the research paper here.
New Palm Beach Education Program
Through a grant from the Palm Beach International Boat Club, the team are educating Title 1 school students (kindergarten to 2nd grade) in Palm Beach County.
This interactive program includes presentations, gifting the book "A Manta Ray's Journey" written by Jessica Pate and Allie Brown, and take-home assignments to spark family discussions about manta ray conservation. 700+ kids have already participated!
MMF Indonesia
Komodo: Knowledge for Conservation
Following a productive research stint in Komodo, the team's focus has shifted to transforming their collected data into a report for the Komodo National Park management office. This report ensures valuable insights from our research are accessible to those responsible for protecting this iconic World Heritage Area.
Manta Ray Monitoring in Lembongan
Our Indonesian team has returned to Nusa Lembongan and is diving right back into their critical work! They're continuing the long-term manta ray and turtle monitoring program, providing vital data for conservation efforts. Additionally, the team is ensuring responsible tourism practices by delivering pre-dive and pre-snorkel briefings on manta ray and turtle codes of conduct.
Masters Thesis Defended!
Huge congratulations to project leader Janis Argeswara, who recently defended her Master's thesis – successfully completing her Master's degree in Biological Sciences at Florida International University, supervised by Dr. Jeremy Kiszka and supported by MMF.
Expanding Outreach to Engage with Chinese Ocean Enthusiasts
The team conducted a bilingual presentation on manta ray ecology and conservation, delivering valuable insights in English (aided by a translator) while utilizing Chinese presentation slides to ensure broader accessibility. We aim to raise awareness and encourage active participation in ocean protection.
Three New Important Shark & Ray Areas for Indonesia
Thanks to Janis Argeswara's leadership and MMF's decade-long manta ray habitat research, applications for THREE new Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) in Indonesia have been approved. These new ISRA designations include Nusa Penida, the Komodo Islands, and the Derawan Islands, a major win for elasmobranch conservation in Indonesia. Read more
We can't do all this alone.
Can you join MMF as 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
