Monthly Update for November
Hello!
As you'll see below, we're sprinting towards the end of the year! I've just returned from an offshore whale shark research trip on the Great Barrier Reef, and it's fantastic to see how much the MMF team has accomplished while I was off having fun hard at work.
Janis Argeswara and her team in Indonesia have been diving around Sangalaki Island and the Derawan Archipelago, laying the groundwork for a new reef manta research and conservation initiative in 2025. This area is close to the country's new capital city, Nusantara, which is expected to experience a population boom in the years to come – they're putting their tourism management expertise to work protecting this beautiful area for all to enjoy.
Dr Clare Prebble and friends in Mozambique, including Nakia Cullain, travelled up to the Bazaruto Archipelago to switch out receivers in MMF's northern tracking array – and to download lots of great data on shark and ray movements in the area. Following that, Nakia went straight back to Zavora, where she clearly ‘ultrasounded’ anything that swam sufficiently slowly in her general vicinity. I approve. Meanwhile, the Florida team was in the air when they weren't on the water, continuing their monitoring programs for manta rays and other megafauna species, while expanding their amazing outreach and education work.
On education, it's inspiring to see the new photos from Morrungulo in Mozambique. Sarah Bishop started MMF's education work back in 2009 with some of the ever-enthusiastic kids in Tofo, and developed the learn-to-swim program into a UNESCO-endorsed powerhouse that has taught over 1,500 children how to swim, with almost 5,000 going through MMF's marine conservation curriculum in the country. The program is now led by Azevedo Chitsumba and his all-star Mozambican team (many of whom are graduates of the program themselves), and their latest achievement has been to totally revamp school infrastructure in Morrungulo, one of the key megafauna hotspots in the country. Our aim is, as ever, to help people and ocean wildlife thrive together – this is another great success on that journey.
Speaking of all-stars, we all look forward to updates on how Andrea's recovery is going! The latest news I've got is that she's been working hard with a physical therapist, aiming to eventually have her walking unassisted again. She'll be enjoying the Christmas holidays with her family on the Florida coast, hopefully with some mantas swimming by :)
Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or a birthday this month (looking at you, Dr Prebble), we're here to help out with your “I was totally going to get to that” shopping – by offering digital adoptions of a manta ray or whale shark for $25! You'll receive a digital adoption certificate and an e-card that you can personalize with your own message. Cards are delivered to your email inbox within 2 business days, allowing you to share them digitally or print them out. 100% of proceeds go towards MMF research and protection efforts.
Also, as a tax-deductible non-profit, we are here to assist with your end-of-year charitable giving in 2024! We have multiple ways for you to make a tax-deductible donation, including credit card, bank transfers and cheques, and we can even accept direct stock and cryptocurrency donations. Your support enables us to continue our vital research and conservation efforts across the globe.
I hope you all have a great holiday with family, friends, and your local ocean wildlife – and a fantastic start to 2025!
Very best,
Dr Simon Pierce
Executive Director
MMF Indonesia
Sangalaki Survey
After five years, we returned to the stunning Derawan Archipelago to assess field conditions for next year's project. Over 10 productive days, we completed six dives, delivered two presentations on manta rays and turtles, and conducted pre-dive briefings. This trip provided valuable updates on the area's ecology, and we're excited to use these insights to plan an impactful project for 2024! Thank you to Scuba Junkie Sangalaki for hosting us!
Shark-Ray Workshop with WWF
Our Turtle Project Leader, Aulia, recently attended a technical training workshop on "Identifying Critical Habitat for Shark-Ray and Other Endangered Species," organized by Kementerian Kelautan dan Perikanan RI in collaboration with Yayasan WWF Indonesia. Shark-rays, known widely as bowmouth guitarfish, are a critically endangered large ray species with a shark-like body form. The workshop provided valuable insights into habitat identification, species life cycle, data collection methods, and monitoring strategies.
Stereo-photogrammetry Research
Janis is advancing her data collection for the Manta Ray Reproductive Ecology project, utilizing laser and stereo photogrammetry to measure manta rays accurately. Her current focus is on reef manta rays in Manta Bay, in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area off Bali, a vital feeding ground – and potential nursery area – for this species.
Local Primary School Visit
MMF Indonesia conducted another successful school visit, teaching basic English and introducing marine biodiversity in the Nusa Penida MPA to students at SDN 2 Lembongan. Communication is a vital skill, especially in a tourism-driven area like the Nusa Penida MPA, and we hope these lessons will inspire and equip students with valuable skills for their future.
THANK YOU Mantahari Oceancare!
A heartfelt thanks to Mantahari Oceancare for their incredible support of MMF Indonesia over the past 5–6 years. Founded by Tim Noack after his inspiring diving experiences in Komodo, Mantahari has built a passionate community that has achieved something remarkable—adopting 300 manta rays and contributing an astounding USD $60,000!
Mantahari is an MMF Indonesia Major Sponsor
“With every product sold, such as a cap made from recycled PET bottles, we support MMF in Indonesia."
MMF Florida
15 Manta Ray Encounters This Month!
This month, we encountered 15 manta rays, including a new individual, bringing the total number of mantas identified in South Florida to 211! Sadly, many mantas are often seen entangled in fishing lines, including Manta 169 (Nudibranch). Thankfully, we were able to remove some of the line, reducing his risk of further entanglement.
Aerial Survey Highlights
During our aerial survey, we spotted 4 manta rays along with dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and a leatherback turtle! Spotting an endangered leatherback at this time of year was an unexpected and thrilling surprise.
LagoonFest!
We had an incredible time at LagoonFest, an event celebrating environmental and marine research at the Lake Worth Lagoon. Despite some rainy weather, the festival was well attended, and we loved engaging with attendees through Manta Matcher and Manta Ray Trivia. It was wonderful to share our research and conservation efforts with the public!
Education Outreach
We had the pleasure of presenting to several local Girl Scout troops, and answering their thoughtful questions about manta rays and marine science. Encouraging young girls to explore STEM and marine research is definitely a highlight for us!
Podcast Feature: "What It's Like to Be"
We're excited to have our work featured in the latest episode of the What It's Like to Be podcast! Florida Manta Project Founder, Jessica Pate, shares remarkable stories about studying mantas, from rescuing entangled rays to transporting a rare manta specimen for research. Learn about how drones are revolutionizing marine research and the challenges of conserving this endangered species.
MMF Mozambique
Bazaruto Receiver Changeover
MMF researchers Dr Clare Prebble, Nakia Cullain and Anna Flam headed to Bazaruto to change over the receiver array throughout the archipelago.18 receivers were retrieved and redeployed, with the team covering more than 700 kms while traveling between dive sites. The data from these receivers will let us know what our tagged animals have been up to over the past year and provide insight into their movements throughout the region.
Manta Research Success in Zavora
Great weather over the past month has allowed the team in Zavora to spend lots of time in the field. Zavora’s favored cleaning station has been busy with lots of friendly reef mantas hanging around. In addition to photo-ID and sightings data, Zavora’s Research Manager, Nakia Cullain, was also able to deploy a satellite tag as part of her PhD project. She has now deployed a total of 67 tags (acoustic and satellite) on reef mantas in Southern Africa!
Pioneering Ultrasound Research
The Zavora team has teamed up with Francois Lampen from uShaka Marine World and SAAMBR in Durban to start a new project using an IMV Technologies Ultrasound. For the first time ever in Mozambique, we have successfully been able to ultrasound different shark and ray species in the wild! With a focus on manta rays, we have been able to scan 6 females (5 pregnant) as well as torpedo rays, blotched fantail rays, Jenkins rays, and a greyspot guitarfish.
School Building Complete in Morrungulo
MMF, with lead support from the Irish Embassy, has spent the last two years transforming a deteriorating shelter into a modern four classroom and toilet block at Morrungulo School. This primary school was in a terrible state in a very remote area, with no funding and located in a cyclone hotspot. They had no proper water supply, classrooms made of thin metal that were falling apart, and the administration building had no roof. They were about to start turning children away because they simply had nowhere to teach them. We have now officially handed the fully-functional new buildings over to the school. This major development supports MMF's growing program in the area, which includes swimming lessons and marine conservation education. We're VERY happy to have created a much better learning environment for these children :)
Ocean Ambassadors Drive Change
Our Ocean Ambassadors recently held their third annual Advocacy Meeting with the local government in Inhambane to address the critical issue of inadequate enforcement and fragile surveillance of fisheries laws. This ongoing challenge has been a significant driver behind the rise in illegal fishing practices, particularly in key shark and ray habitats in Inhambane.The meeting brought together 70 participants, including 40 of MMF’s Ocean Ambassador community leaders, members of the Fisheries Community Councils, and representatives from the National Fisheries Administration, Maritime Administration, and Lacustrine Police.
We can't do all this alone.
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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
