Latest News
MMF’s Decades-Long Research Pivotal in Establishing New IUCN Important Shark and Ray Areas
MMF’s dedicated research across Mozambique, Tanzania, Madagascar, Qatar, Oman, and Mayotte has been instrumental in identifying these key habitats.
BREAKING: The global operations behind China’s massive fishing fleets targeting the Galapagos Islands revealed
A major new investigative piece from today’s New York Times, “How China Targets the Global Fishing Supply”, highlights how this enormous international fishing fleet has spread across the world’s oceans. The Galapagos Islands are a prime fishing target due to the abundant ocean wildlife.
End of the Line: Oceanic sharks and rays in 50-year decline
A devastating new study documents an alarming decline of oceanic shark and ray populations – 71% over the past 50 years – primarily due to overfishing. The study confirms fears that high levels of decline in pelagic sharks and rays are happening on a worldwide scale.
Manta rays and whale sharks now protected in Mozambique
After 20 years of research and lobbying efforts, the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) is thrilled to announce a major legislative victory for ocean life in Mozambique. A new commercial fishing law enacts sweeping protections for several threatened species, including whale sharks, manta rays, and all mobula species.
Giant manta becomes the first manta ray to be listed as an endangered species
The conservation status of the giant (or oceanic) manta ray (Mobula birostris) has been uplisted today to Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Urban Mantas: A potential nursery ground for manta rays may be under threat off southeastern Florida
The first study on manta rays off the coast of Florida, published today by Endangered Species Research, has discovered a potential urban nursery ground for manta rays. Juvenile manta rays were regularly sighted in the shallow waters along Florida’s coastline, the first time a nursery habitat has been discovered in such a highly developed urban […]
First-of-its-kind global survey reveals sharks could be better protected in Mozambique
A new landmark study published today in Nature by Global FinPrint reveals sharks are virtually absent on many of the world’s coral reefs, indicating they are too rare to fulfill their normal role in the ecosystem, otherwise referred to as “functionally extinct.” Of the 371 reefs surveyed in 58 countries, sharks were not observed on […]
There’s no place like home for whale sharks in Tanzania
Global lockdowns pose few problems for whale sharks off Tanzania. New research shows that these gigantic fish prefer to stay in the bay they call home. Scientists regard whale sharks as a “highly migratory” species, capable of swimming tens of thousands of kilometers each year. However, a study published today in the journal Frontiers in […]
Photo of seabirds nesting among plastics – commended in photography competition
A photo of gannets using discarded nets and ropes to build their nests highlights the increasing problem of plastic pollution for marine life. The image was highly commended in the 2020 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition this week. Dr. Simon J Pierce, a principal scientist at the Marine Megafauna Foundation and wildlife photographer for […]
Please see below for press releases announcing our scientific publications, and how to get in touch with our media team.
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If you're a journalist working on a story about topics such as marine megafauna, plastic pollution, and ocean conservation, and are in need of expert comments or imagery, please get in touch with our media team who will be happy to help. We have high-resolution images and videos available and can also assist film crews on location.
BACKGROUND
MMF’s vision is a world in which marine life and humans thrive together.We aspire to attain this state by conducting pioneering research that informs practical conservation efforts to protect threatened marine megafauna species.
‘Megafauna’ are large marine species, including sharks, rays, marine mammals, many fishes, and sea turtles. MMF research focuses on manta rays and whale sharks.
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For press information, images or to set up an interview with an MMF spokesperson, please contact: media@marinemegafauna.org
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A list of our studies and reports can be found here.