Manta Sandy is a well-known cleaning station in the Dampier Strait region. Known for its regular sightings of mantas during the season, it has became a ‘must see’ dive site for all operators, and a location suitable for scientists and film-makers to observe these stunning creatures. However, the high and ever increasing level of human traffic would see upwards of 9 boats drop up to 50-60 divers at a time on the site. Whilst some effort had been made to moderate diver behaviour (a “do not cross” rubble line) this moderation is not always adhered to, understood or enforced. Poor diver and/or operator behaviour such as entering the cleaning station or dropping divers right on top of mantas, as well as the sheer volume of divers and boat traffic was observed and documented to be having a direct impact upon the number of mantas in the area.
how to optimise viewing, while protecting a species
The Challenge
To increase tourism regulation to minimise the impact of tourism on mantas and the reef environment
In collaboration with Conservation International, Marine Megafauna Foundation, local government, villages, local homestays and resorts, the Raja Ampat Liveaboard Association (Jangkar), a permanent ranger station was established to manage the site.
A team of four rangers was selected from villages of Arborek and Kapisawor due to their close proximity to Manta Sandy, and the understanding that by selecting rangers from the
local community we could foster a strong sense of ownership with a natural inclination to protect local waters. Selecting local rangers also enabled us to improve livelihoods through the creation of jobs funded directly by the marine park entry fee.
The Ranger Station is staffed by 2-4 rangers who are mandated to:
- enforce an upper limit (max 20 people) to the number of divers and snorkellers onsite at any given time, via a booking system
- designate a clear entry and exit for the site with a ‘no-go’ zone for boats over and around the cleaning station
- establish a clear and enforceable code of conduct for human / manta interaction
- serve as a checkpoint for all operators, whereby marine park tags of all divers and snorkelers can be checked
A careless diver ‘riding’ a manta ray, risking injury and harming the manta. Mantas are these are wild animals, and they’re not used to being touched by humans and may react defensively causing injury. Additonaly, touching a manta can Harm Them Physically; the manta ray’s skin is covered with a protective ‘slime’ that guards against infection. When humans touch them, this coating is removed, exposing the manta rays to potential diseases and infections.
A busy, and not-so-clean day underwater at Manta Sandy in 2013. Waste management is an ever-increasing threat to waters of Raja Ampat. (Photo by: Shawn Heinrichs-CI Indonesia/2013). Source: birdsheadseascape.com
All operators accessing the site are required to make a booking, report to the rangers on arrival, show marine park tags, then dive/snorkel the site as per the official Code of Conduct.
Code of Conduct for Scuba Divers at Manta Sandy – Click Here
Code of Conduct for Snorkelers at Manta Sandy – Click Here
SOP for any visitor or tourism operator to Manta Sandy – Click Here
These regulations help to ensure that tourism around the site is kept sustainable, impact on manta behaviour and aggregations are minimised, whilst still offering visitors a wonderful opportunity to view the manta rays cleaning and feeding.
Preliminary signs showing positive impact
Preliminary signs are showing a positive effect of the Ranger Station at Manta Sandy. After the 2017/18 manta season, we now have preliminary data that indicates that since the implementation of the Ranger Station, and subsequent regulation around the number of divers and boat behaviour, there is a correlation with a higher number of mantas aggregating on the site. This data needs further analysis, however preliminary signs suggest that the Ranger Station is having a positive effect.
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the field.
If left unchecked, 90% of coral reefs will be threatened by 2030, with almost all reefs facing, high, very high, or critical threat levels by 2050.
If we don’t act now, future generations will not have the privilege of seeing a live coral reef, let alone receive the benefits that coral reefs provide, including food, coastal protection, livelihoods and medicine.
In Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the most biodiverse coral reefs on Earth are under threat; rapid and unsustainable development combined with climate change threaten the future of these reefs, along with the food security, heritage and livelihoods of many.
Your contribution today has a direct impact in enabling our team to work with local people to Restore, Protect and Conserve reefs in the world’s last remaining coral stronghold.
We cannot do it alone, but with your contribution we can do it together.
100% of your donation goes to
the field.
If left unchecked, 90% of coral reefs will be threatened by 2030, with almost all reefs facing, high, very high, or critical threat levels by 2050.
If we don’t act now, future generations will not have the privilege of seeing a live coral reef, let alone receive the benefits that coral reefs provide, including food, coastal protection, livelihoods and medicine.
In Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the most biodiverse coral reefs on Earth are under threat; rapid and unsustainable development combined with climate change threaten the future of these reefs, along with the food security, heritage and livelihoods of many.
Your contribution today has a direct impact in enabling our team to work with local people to Restore, Protect and Conserve reefs in the world’s last remaining coral stronghold.
We cannot do it alone, but with your contribution we can do it together.
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