Manta Ray
Also known as: Giant manta ray · Oceanic manta ray · Giant devil ray
Definition
Manta Ray refers to the giant rays of the genus Mobula (formerly Manta), the largest rays in the world, found in Philippine waters including the Bohol Sea, Tubbataha Reefs, and parts of Palawan. Two species occur in the country: the oceanic manta ray and the reef manta ray, both filter feeders that swim with graceful wing-like pectoral fins.
Identities
| Source Type | Identity |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | Manta ray |
| Wikidata | Q1536199 |
| DBpedia | N/A |
Also Known As
- Giant manta ray
- Oceanic manta ray
- Giant devil ray
Examples and Analogies
Manta rays are the whale sharks of the ray world: enormous, gentle filter feeders that draw divers worldwide. An oceanic manta with a seven-meter wingspan gliding through the Bohol Sea evokes the same awe as a whale shark in Donsol, while reef mantas circling cleaning stations mirror the manta tourism of Bali and the Maldives.
Usage Scenarios
Manta rays are encountered in Philippine dive tourism, fisheries management, and marine research. Historically the Bohol Sea supported a targeted manta fishery, and the species’ shift from hunted animal to ecotourism icon mirrors the butanding story of Donsol and Sogod Bay.
Strategies
Conservation strategies include protection under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, cooperation with CITES Appendix II trade controls, alternative livelihood programs for former manta fishers in Bohol, and marine protected areas in aggregation sites such as Tubbataha.
Security and Safety Measures
Interaction guidelines for divers and snorkelers prohibit touching or riding mantas, and fishers are encouraged to release entangled animals. Large coastal nets and unregulated tourism boats are managed through local ordinances to reduce bycatch and harassment.
Historical Context
The Bohol Sea town of Pamilacan was once famous for whale and manta hunting; after hunting bans, its former hunters transitioned into whale-watching and dive guiding, becoming a frequently cited example of fisheries transformation. Manta rays were placed on CITES Appendix II in 2013.
Challenges and Controversies
Challenges include bycatch in nets and longlines, the international trade in manta gill plates used in traditional medicine, and the difficulty of enforcing protection across the country’s vast waters.
Related Topic
Reef Manta Ray