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Distribution of the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi and the oceanic manta ray Mobula birostris in the Philippines: A collaborative effort for conservation

Rambahiniarison, Joshua
; 
Agustines, Ariana
; 
Alexopoulos, Konstantinos
; 
Araujo, Gonzalo
; 
Armstrong, Asia O.
; 
Arnold, Shannon
; 
Barruga, Aldrin
; 
Cañete, Titus
; 
Conales, Segundo
; 
Delijero, Kymry
... show 10 more
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Affiliation
Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines; Coastal Oceans Research and Development – Indian Ocean East Africa; University of Plymouth; Marine Research and Conservation Foundation; The University of Queensland; The Manta Trust; Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Philippines; Tubbataha Management Office, Philippines; World Wildlife Fund Philippines; Department of Agriculture, Philippines; Marine Megafauna Foundation, USA; University of Chester; The Underwater Africa Foundation; Dive Sibaltan, Philippines; Ticao Island Resort, Philippines; Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines; Tel Aviv University
EPub Date
Publication Date
2022-11-30
Submitted Date
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Biological Sciences
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Abstract
Little is known about manta ray population size, structure, and connectivity in the Philippines. In collaboration with dive operators, non-governmental organizations, and authorities, sightings of manta rays were collated into a single national database. Using in-water photographs and videos gathered through citizen science and dedicated research efforts, this study compiled sightings between 2004 and 2020, showing 22 separate sites throughout the archipelago with manta rays present. A total of 392 individual reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and 107 oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) were identified from the collected footage. Four specific sites in the provinces of Masbate and Palawan together hosted 87% of all identified individuals and accounted for 94% of sightings, highlighting these areas are key aggregation sites. This study also reports movements of M. birostris within the Philippines, based on photo-identification of three individuals moving 150 km between Cebu and Masbate. Despite the growing number of recreational divers in Daanbantayan and San Jacinto, an 80% decline in M. birostris sightings was observed at these sites. To ensure effective future conservation, it is recommended that efforts focus on the identification and protection of manta ray hotspots and migratory corridors, the creation of a sustainable tourism framework, and most importantly, on the implementation of mitigation strategies to reduce fisheries interactions.
Citation
Rambahiniarison, J., Agustines, A., Alexopoulos, K., Araujo, G., Armstrong, A., Arnold, S., Barruga, A., Cañete, T., Conales, S., Delijero, K., Enolva, N. P., Flam, A. L., Keane, E., Labaja, J., Legaspi, C., Murie, C., Murray, R., Oliver, S. P., Pierce, S. J., Ponzo, A., ... Barr, Y. (2023). Distribution of the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi and the oceanic manta ray Mobula birostris in the Philippines: A collaborative effort for conservation. Journal of Fish Biology, 102(2), 492-503. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15283
Publisher
Wiley
Journal
Journal of Fish Biology
Research Unit
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10034/627375
DOI
10.1111/jfb.15283
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
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Description
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Rambahiniarison, J., Agustines, A., Alexopoulos, K., Araujo, G., Armstrong, A., Arnold, S., Barruga, A., Cañete, T., Conales, S., Delijero, K., Enolva, N. P., Flam, A. L., Keane, E., Labaja, J., Legaspi, C., Murie, C., Murray, R., Oliver, S. P., Pierce, S. J., Ponzo, A., ... Barr, Y. (2023). Distribution of the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi and the oceanic manta ray Mobula birostris in the Philippines: A collaborative effort for conservation. Journal of Fish Biology, 102(2), 492-503], which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15283]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Series/Report no.
ISSN
0022-1112
EISSN
1095-8649
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Sponsors
Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines was partially funded by Prince Bernard Foundation, the Shark Conservation Fund, The Rufford Foundation, Fondation Ensemble and PADI Foundation. AOA was partially funded by the ARC-Linkage Grant: LP150100669 Connectivity and movements of large pelagic species of ecotourism value. SJP and CAR were partially funded by Aqua-Firma and Waterlust. The Manta Trust, Philippines Project was funded by the Save Our Seas Foundation. The WWF Philippines Palawan projects were funded by Grieg Foundation and WWF Singapore.
Additional Links
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jfb.15283