A terrific lecture from Dr Angela Marshall of "Queen of Mantas" fame. The event was hosted by Andy at Walkers Inn In Khao Lak and was well attended by many dive staff and customers alike.
The evening was packed with useful information about the feeding, mating and social habits of both Reef Mantas (Manta alfredi) - which aggregate in large numbers in places around the Indian Ocean and SE Asia, and Giant Mantas (Manta Birostris) - which migrate across and even between oceans.
Both species can be encountered at our regular local diving spot at Koh Bon, though the Giant Mantas (which can grow over 7 meters across!) are the most commonly sighted here between Christmas and Easter. There are very few people researching these beautiful and enigmatic creatures but Angela, whose research base is in Mozambique, has produced a wealth of information, much of which is available to view at http://marinemegafauna.org/
The site also suggests what we can do as recreational divers to help with research and preservation. There is a special Facebook page for Manta sightings in Thailand so if any of you have good photos of the underside of a Manta Ray, you should submit them here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_150283268350675.
Angela's website provides details of the kind of shot required (mouth to tail, 'wings' less important) to best display the Manta's unique spot pattern by which individuals can be identified and migration routes determined.
On http://marinemegafauna.org/new-manta-ray-research-page/ you'll also find answers to questions like:
How to tell the difference between the two species?
How long do Mantas live? (if they're not caught by fishermen or tangled in nets and mooring lines)
Where are all the baby Mantas?
How far do they range?
How deep do they dive?
What do they eat?
How should we dive responsibly around Mantas?
How are Mantas threatened by man?
What can we do to assist conservation efforts.
The lecture reminded me that here on the Andaman coast we're in the front line of encounters with these wonderful creatures and we must try to keep focused on and enjoy what we still have and keep fighting to protect it rather than dwell on what we've lost.
Thanks Angela for coming all this way, sharing the fruits of your research with us and involving us in your work.
Story by Paul Effeny
Diving instructor of Khao Lak Scuba Adventures
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