Manta Rays

Huge, intelligent, playful and inquisitive, manta rays are a favourite encounter for millions of scuba divers around the world.
Manta rays worth US$8.6 billion to the Maldives economy, study finds

Manta rays worth US$8.6 billion to the Maldives economy, study finds

ByDIVE ContributorsJul 1, 2026
A Manta Trust-led study finds that manta rays could generate an estimated US$8.6 billion in Maldives tourism revenue over their lifetimes
New documentary spotlights endangered sicklefin devil rays of the Azores

New documentary spotlights endangered sicklefin devil rays of the Azores

A new Manta Trust documentary highlights endangered sicklefin devil rays gathering at Ambrósio Seamount in the Azores
Mantas and devil rays receive maximum CITES protection

Mantas and devil rays receive maximum CITES protection

All ten species of mobulid rays have been uplisted to Appendix I under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
A Bentfin Devil Ray Landing in Muncar, Indonesia

Mantas and devil rays in global decline

ByDIVE StaffNov 17, 2025
A new study calls on mobulid rays to be upgraded to CITES Appendix I in the wake of severe population decline
Mark World Manta Day 2025 with the Manta Trust’s events

Mark World Manta Day 2025 with the Manta Trust’s events

Check out some of the events being held by the Manta Trust to celebrate World Manta Day 2025 - and why better protection is so important
Featured Photographer: Jasmine Corbett

Featured Photographer: Jasmine Corbett

ByDIVE StaffSep 4, 2025
Check out this fantastic portfolio from marine scientist, dive instructor, and Manta Trust Media and Communications Manager, Jas Corbett
an overhead shot of an Altantic Manta ray

‘Rays of Hope’ – an Interview with Karen Fuentes, founder of the Manta Caribbean Project

The Manta Caribbean Project is doing vital work to protect manta rays off the coast of Mexico – DIVE talks to its charismatic founder.
It’s official – there are three species of manta ray!

It’s official – there are three species of manta ray!

Scientists formally describe a third species of manta ray, sixteen years after MMF's Dr Andrea Marshall predicted its existence
Manta Trust launches #SaveTheMantas campaign

Manta Trust launches #SaveTheMantas campaign

The Manta Trust has launched a campaign to get mantas and mobulas upgraded to the highest level of protection at November's CITES conference
Major progress – but still gaps – in shark and ray conservation

Major progress – but still gaps – in shark and ray conservation

ByDIVE StaffJul 10, 2025
CITES listings have had a positive impact on shark and ray conservation - but there is still much to do to ensure species survival
Penida dive instructor rescues entangled manta – again!

Penida dive instructor rescues entangled manta – again!

Blue Corner Dive Penida manager Jason Fondis rescues an entangled reef manta ray off the island of Nusa Penida - for the second time.
Manta Trust launches ‘Volunteer Time Off’ expeditions for businesses

Manta Trust launches ‘Volunteer Time Off’ expeditions for businesses

The Manta Trust has launched a new initiative aimed at getting businesses involved in manta ray conservation through volunteering expeditions
A group of manta rays gather in the Maldives

World Manta Day returns on 17 September 2024

ByDIVE StaffSep 9, 2024
The Manta Trust will be kicking off the run-up to World Manta Day on 17 September with a conservation storytelling workshop on 11 September
The Ride of Your Life – with Maldives grey reef sharks

The Ride of Your Life – with Maldives grey reef sharks

ByGraeme GourlayApr 19, 2024
Riding a scooter into a cloud of grey reef sharks, whose populations in the Maldives are booming thanks to a blanket ban on shark fishing
a manta ray swimming past the camera in seychelles

Major study reveals size of Seychelles manta ray population

ByDIVE StaffMar 14, 2024
A major new study Seychelles has highlighted the importance of D’Arros Island and St. François Atoll for Seychelles' reef mantas
Featured Photographer – Ollie Clarke

Featured Photographer – Ollie Clarke

ByDIVE StaffFeb 12, 2024
British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2023, Ollie Clarke, showcases some of his spectacular megafauna shots of sharks, rays and whales
MMF’s research pivotal in establishing new IUCN shark and ray protections

MMF’s research pivotal in establishing new IUCN shark and ray protections

The Marine Megafauna Foundation's decades-long research has been pivotal in establishing new Important Shark and Ray Areas for the IUCN
a tiger shark swimming past with golden trevallies

Featured Photographer – Daniel Browne

ByDIVE StaffOct 19, 2023
Daniel Thomas Browne, winner of DIVE's BigShot Megafauna underwater photo competition, showcases some of the best of Western Australia's reefs
Featured Photographer – Catherine ‘CatSharks’ Cushenan

Featured Photographer – Catherine ‘CatSharks’ Cushenan

ByDIVE StaffJul 14, 2023
Catherine Cushenan (@catsharks) is a shark ecologist, freediver and underwater photographer with a particular love of charismatic megafauna
mmf andrea marshall takes a selfie with a giant oceancic manta ray

How the Marine Megafauna Foundation makes sustainability sustainable

Marine Megafauna Foundation co-founders Andrea Marshall and Simon Pierce talk to DIVE about what 'sustainability' really means
Endangered sicklefin devil ray found off the US Atlantic coast

Endangered sicklefin devil ray found off the US Atlantic coast

A new Marine Megafauna Foundation study finds that the elusive sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana) is present off the US Atlantic coast.
Virtual Reality brings ‘Flight of the Mantas’ to life

Virtual Reality brings ‘Flight of the Mantas’ to life

Marine Megafauna Foundation partners with Immotion, to create an 'educational and immersive' VR experience entitled Flight of the Mantas.
MMF confirms world-first international reef manta migration

MMF confirms world-first international reef manta migration

A new Marine Megafauna Foundation has confirmed the first international movement of reef manta rays in South Africa
The mutual benefits of ocean cleaning stations

The mutual benefits of ocean cleaning stations

ByDouglas David SeifertDec 13, 2022
The ocean's cleaning stations are one of nature’s most remarkable examples of how evolution finds solutions to life’s challenges
Devil Ray Conservation Dive launched at Aliwal Shoal

Devil Ray Conservation Dive launched at Aliwal Shoal

A unique 'Devil Ray Conservation Dive' is to be launched this December at Aliwal Shoal off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.
dr andrea marshall swimming with a friendly oceanic manta ray

World’s largest oceanic manta ray population in Ecuador, says MMF study

The world's largest population of giant oceanic manta rays has been identified off the coast of Ecuador, accoring to a newly published study
Manta ray nursery discovered in Raja Ampat

Manta ray nursery discovered in Raja Ampat

ByDIVE ContributorsSep 8, 2022
First study to confirm a nursery for globally vulnerable reef manta rays in isolated waters around Raja Ampat in Indonesia
Reef manta relationships depend on individual behaviour

Reef manta relationships depend on individual behaviour

ByDIVE StaffJul 20, 2022
New research from Marine Megafauna Foundation and The Manta Trust reveals new details about how their movement affects their social bonds
An evening with Doug Allan for World Manta Day

An evening with Doug Allan for World Manta Day

Multi award winning wildlife cameraman Doug Allan and the Manta Trust are hosting an event to celebrate World Manta Day, on 17 September
Endangered Species Day profile: Andrea Marshall

Endangered Species Day profile: Andrea Marshall

Today marks the 17th annual Endangered Species Day, during which people commit to l taking action to save the oceans# many endangered species
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