Five of the 34 rays were photographed in the lagoon after 16 months. Using photo identification, we managed to identify 34 young manta rays from 47 encounters. How were the baby manta rays monitored and tracked?īefore confirming that Wayag Lagoon is a nursery for baby manta rays, we conducted regular monitoring every 3-6 months from 2013-2021 in the area. Proving these three criteria can be challenging, take years of effort and involve various methods.Īssessments using satellite and acoustic tracking can help complete the puzzle. These include Fam Islands, Hol Gam, Ayau Besar Lagoon and Wayag Lagoon).įour areas identified as potential reef manta ray nursery areas in Raja Ampat waters (Source: Edy Setyawan)Īn area can serve as a manta ray nursery if it meets these three criteria:ġ) newborn and young manta rays are more commonly encountered in this area than in other areas Ģ) newborn and young manta rays tend to remain and/or return to this area repeatedly for extended period ģ) newborn and young manta rays inhabit the area across years. In Raja Ampat, we identified four potential nursery areas. These include the Gulf of Mexico (Flower Garden Banks and the southern coast of Florida, United States), Palmyra Atoll (the south end of Hawaiian waters), the Maldives and Indonesia (Nusa Penida and Raja Ampat).

In addition to providing a source of food, the nursery accommodates the baby rays with a place where they can interact and ‘exchange experiences’ with their young mates.Ĭurrently, there are only few places in the world that can potentially become nurseries for manta rays. They also offer protection from predators like big sharks. Lagoons provide calm water suitable for the baby rays that are just starting to swim. The Wayag Lagoon in the northwest of Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia (Source: Edy Setyawan) Manta ray nursery habitatįor newborn manta rays, using shallow sheltered habitats like lagoons as a nursery is crucial to ensure their survival.

Mother and baby manta ray