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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 |
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| Authors: | Joshua Rambahiniarison Ariana Agustines Konstantinos Alexopoulos Gonzalo Araujo Asia O Armstrong Shannon Arnold Aldrin Barruga Titus Cañete Segundo Conales Jr Kymry Delijero Nonie P Enolva Anna L Flam Eliya Keane Jessica Labaja Christine G Legaspi Calum Murie Ryan Murray Simon P Oliver Simon J Pierce Alessandro Ponzo Christoph A Rohner Rosanna Schifferer Sally Snow Martina Spakowski Guy M W Stevens Timur Tilgel Jessica N C Wong Arnel Andrew Yaptinchay Yotam Barr |
| Institution: | 1. Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Bohol, Philippines;2. School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK;3. Large Marine Vertebrates Research Institute Philippines, Bohol, Philippines
Marine Research and Conservation Foundation, Lydeard St Lawrence, Somerset, UK;4. Project Manta, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia;5. The Manta Trust, Catemwood House, Norwood Lane, Dorset, UK;6. Ticao-Burias Pass Protected Seascape, Department of Environment and Natural Resources V, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Masbate City, Philippines;7. Tubbataha Management Office, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines;8. World Wildlife Fund Philippines, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines;9. Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Region 5, Department of Agriculture, Camarines Sur, Philippines;10. Marine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA;11. The Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, UK The Underwater Africa Foundation, Inhambane, Mozambique;12. The Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, UK;13. Dive Sibaltan, El Nido, Philippines;14. Ticao Island Resort, San Jacinto, Philippines;15. Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, Makati, Philippines;16. School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel |
| 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 89% of all identified individuals and accounted for 95% of sightings, highlighting these areas are key aggregation sites. This study also reports the 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 important, the implementation of mitigation strategies to reduce fisheries interactions. |
| Keywords: | conservation management habitat use migratory corridors photo-identification species distribution |