Do you want to help save the threatened mantas? Adopt one now!
Seven out of the nine Mobula species have confirmed presence in the Philippines. The unique geographical features of deep ocean water close to the shore make the country one of the best places worldwide to see manta rays!
Traditionally, mantas were hunted in the Philippines for their meat and gill rakers. Coupled with the mantas life strategy of slow growth, late sexual maturation, long gestation period, and having a small number of pups, this makes them susceptible to drastic population declines.
In 2017, all species of Mobula rays were listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) — this resulted in a national ban on the catching and selling of Mobula rays and byproducts in the Philippines.
While today mobulas and mantas are afforded greater protection, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done to ensure the protection of the species. Incidental bycatch and unregulated tourism still pose a significant threat to these enigmatic giants.
Understanding how mantas utilize the Philippine waters and their habitats will help serve as a basis for the development of protected areas and migratory corridors — that's where we need your help!
OUR WORK
Our work aims to identify and describe the remaining populations of manta and devil rays in the country, identify priority areas for conservation and migratory corridors, and set the basis for establishing a dedicated network of protected areas to allow the species to recover. So far we have:
Identified over 100 individual oceanic mantas and over 400 individual reef mantas
Set up an acoustic array and tagged individual mantas to understand residency
Manage the database for the Philippines’ national manta catalog
Co-hosted the first Manta Awareness Day in San Jacinto, Ticao
Why Adopt a Manta in the Philippines
Now is a crucial time for the conservation of manta rays in the Philippines. Be part of the collective action! Building upon the work of others before us, we believe now is the time when we can make the most impact in the conservation of these gentle giants for them to have a comeback — now is when we need our Everyday Heroes!
By symbolically adopting a manta, you are not only directly contributing towards the conservation of this most enigmatic of species. You are also protecting all marine life intertwined with them and their habitats! By supporting LAMAVE's on-the-ground work, you are making a tangible and direct contribution to the conservation of these gentle giants.
The Manta Adoption Program
Your contribution will go a long way for the conservation of mantas in the Philippines
With your $10 (PHP 550) donation, you are enabling us to continue our work on mantas. The cost of your symbolic adoption contributes to funds that will be used in purchasing technology, paying human resources, and obtaining the logistics of the daily operation of our Manta Ray Research and Conservation Projects.
Kit Inclusions:
Personalized Manta Adoption certificate showing you’re a real Everyday Hero for mantas in the Philippines
Print-quality manta fact sheet with information on mantas in the Philippines and the work that LAMAVE does with these gentle giants
Print-quality manta post card with the profile of the manta you’ve adopted — you can give this to your friends and/or loved ones!
Meet the Mantas
PL-MA-0051
Male
Finn Bendy got his name from his most unique feature — an unusual bend on his right fin. First spotted in Manta Bowl in Ticao Island in August 2018, Finn Bendy has been a regular in the area ever since! Embracing his uniqueness, he’s social and is usually found hanging around other mantas in Ticao.
PW-MA-0015 Female
Last seen in 2018, she is one of the stars of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. She is not shy to have her photos taken and has been the apple of the eye of many underwater photographers who come to the Tubbataha Reefs to see her beauty!
PW-MA-0026
Male
Kawil is one of the first mantas we’ve identified in Ticao. First seen with a fishing line caught on his cephalic fin. The line later disappeared but latest sighting in June 2019 shows him getting caught in a new fishing line again — a stark reminder of our impact to this species.