The Manta Trust, a UK-based charity, has launched an initiative inviting visitors to the Maldives to support manta ray research. The program encourages tourists to contribute through citizen science projects and direct donations, aiming to fund ongoing studies of manta ray populations in the region.
According to the Manta Trust's website, the Maldives hosts one of the largest known populations of reef manta rays (Manta alfredi), with over 5,000 individuals identified. The charity's research focuses on monitoring migration patterns, breeding behaviors, and threats such as bycatch and boat strikes.
Visitors can participate by submitting photographs of manta rays encountered during snorkeling or diving trips, which help researchers identify individual rays through their unique spot patterns. Donations support satellite tagging and genetic analysis to better understand population connectivity.
The initiative aligns with the Maldives' broader conservation efforts, including the 2021 ban on manta ray fishing. The Manta Trust emphasizes that tourism-based funding is critical for long-term research, as government resources are limited.
