manta - six senses · manta rays how to swim with step 1 enter the water quietly and calmly, no...

T R U S TManta

www.mantatrust.org

A JUNIOR MARINE BIOLOGIST'S GUIDE TO THE

MANTA RAYS OF LAAMU ATOLL

Presented in partnership withSix Senses Laamu

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INFORMATION KEY

SEASONAL

These mantas are seen seasonally, often

depending on the monsoons or mating

season.

SNORKELLING

Seen at depth, usually cleaning,

cruising, or courting, below the limit of

duck diving.

RESIDENT

These manta rays are regularly sighted in

Laamu.

INJURED

These mantas have some kind of injury from either natural causes (shark bites),

or caused by humans (boat strikes, fishing

line).

FRIENDLY

These mantas are comfortable around

divers and often swim close. Get your camera

ready!

SHY

These mantas can be extremely shy, and may actively avoid divers or

snorkelers.

SCUBA DIVING

Has been seen in shallow depths, usually while surface feeding.

RARE

These mantas are rarely seen in Laamu, so you will be very lucky to

find them.

MATING SCARS

These females are mature, as they have been recorded with a

mating scar on their left pectoral fin.

PREGNANT

These females have been recorded with a

pregnancy bulge.

Under each manta ray in this database, the following icons are used to represent points of interest about the individual.

MANTA TRUST | A Junior Marine Biologist's Guide to the Manta Rays of Laamu Atoll

In Partnership with Six Senses Laamu 3

GENDER:

Male

SIZE:

2.87m

FIRST SIGHTED:

11th November 2012

Rangalo is a mature male manta in Laamu. During the mating season he has been seen actively shadowing female mantas, trying very hard to keep up with the mature females.

PERSONALITY & HISTORY:

RANGALO MV-MA-2590

OPTIMUS PRIME MV-MA-2919

GENDER:

Male

SIZE:

2.86m

FIRST SIGHTED:

19th October 2013


As one of the regulars at Hithadhoo Corner, Optimus Prime is a playful manta that seems full of excitement. In 2015 he was seen at least once every month getting cleaned at the Hithahdoo Corner cleaning station.

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GENDER:

Female

SIZE:

3.17m

FIRST SIGHTED:

9th September 2012


She is a curious and fearless female, often performing overhead passes, twists an turns.

REGGAE

GEORGE MICHAEL MV-MA-2900

GENDER:

Male

SIZE:

2.83m

FIRST SIGHTED:

23th October 2013


George Michael was named after the famous English singer. He is usually very shy, but when it comes to the mating season, his behaviour changes as he spends much of this time shadowing female mantas.

MANTA TRUST | A Junior Marine Biologist's Guide to the Manta Rays of Laamu Atoll

MV-MA-2414

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SCHMETTERLING MV-MA-2931

GENDER:

Female

SIZE:

3.08m

FIRST SIGHTED:

1st November 2013

Schmetterling is an immature female who can be seen regularly getting herself cleaned in Laamu. She spend hours during the morning at Hithadhoo Corner, and was the most sighted manta in October and November 2013.


ZAARA MV-MA-2923

GENDER:

Female

SIZE:

3.29m

FIRST SIGHTED:

29th October 2013

Zaara is a seasonal resident to Hithadhoo Corner, usually visiting in June and July. She is a very friendly and curious individual, making encounters with her some of the best you can hope for when swimming with a manta!


In Partnership with Six Senses Laamu

MANTA TRUST | A Junior Marine Biologist's Guide to the Manta Rays of Laamu Atoll 6

DIDDY DOTS MV-MA-3878

GENDER:

Female

SIZE:

3.00m

FIRST SIGHTED:

21st August 2015

This shy female was first seen feeding in the shallows of Fushi Kandu. Sadly she boasts numerous heavy scars on both her pectoral fins. We think this could be due to entanglement in nets and/or hooks.


MICHELE MV-MA-2551

GENDER:

Male

SIZE:

3.00m

FIRST SIGHTED:

29th June 2013

Michele is the most sighted manta ray in Laamu Atoll - the unofficial king of Hithadhoo Corner! He‘s very comfortable around divers, and seems to enjoying coming incredibly close to flaunt a nice manta pose, especially for those with cameras.



GENDER:

Female

SIZE:

3.03m

FIRST SIGHTED:

29th October 2013

Sheen is a seasonal visitor at Hithadhoo Corner. Every time she visits, she tends to stay around for at least a couple of days. At the end of her visit she typically becomes very friendly and readily interacts with divers.


SHEEN MV-MA-2913

GENDER:

Female

SIZE:

3.40m

FIRST SIGHTED:

1st December 2013


Olivia is a very calm and fearless individual. Her very gentle demeanour makes Olivia one of our favourite manta rays to dive with in Laamu. She is notorious for sneaking up on divers from overhead, so be sure to keep low and keep an eye out during your dives.

OLIVIA MV-MA-3002

MANTA TRUST | A Junior Marine Biologist's Guide to the Manta Rays of Laamu Atoll 8

MANTA RAYSHOW TO SWIM WITH

STEP 1Enter the water quietly and calmly, no closer than 10 metres / 33 feet from the manta ray.

STEP 2Keep your fins below the water‘s surface when swimming. Splashing and noise can scare mantas away, so you want to approach as quietly as possible.

STEP 3Do NOT approach closer than 3 metres / 10 feet. Instead, remain still and let the manta

STEP 4You should approach the manta from their side, giving them a clear path ahead.

STEP 5As the manta swims past you, do NOT chase after them! You will never catch up to a manta anyway, and will likely scare them away in the process.

STEP 6Do NOT touch a manta ray. You will ruin the encounter, and may receive a fine depending on local laws.


STEP 8For scuba divers only.

Keep low and hover close to the seabed, but be careful not to damage the reef beneath you. Depending on the dive site, you may need to stay in an area designated for divers.


When a manta swims towards you, do NOT block their path as they swim overhead. Stay low, and stay where you are.

STEP 10Be sure to follow any extra rules, laws and regulations that may be specific to the manta site you‘re visiting.


If you are diving with a manta, you will most likely be encountering them on a cleaning station. These are important sites for manta rays.

During the encounter, remain at the side of the cleaning station. Do NOT swim onto the main cleaning area.

To watch a film version of this guide, and learn more about sustainable manta tourism, visit:

www.SwimWithMantas.org

By following this Tourism Code of Conduct, you will avoid disturbing the mantas you encounter. At the same time you will increase your chance of having a life-changing experience with these gentle giants.

manta - six senses · manta rays how to swim with step 1 enter the water quietly and calmly, no...

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