DEVIL RAYS (Mobulidae) ECOLOGY STUDY IN MOROTAI NORTH MALUKU: How it can Improve Marine Tourism and Species Protection?

There is a growing concern for the conservation of Devil Rays (Mobulidae) especially since all species of manta and mobula rays were listed in Appendix II CITES. Despite its vulnerability, this family of rays has very... [ view full abstract ]

There is a growing concern for the conservation of Devil Rays (Mobulidae) especially since all species of manta and mobula rays were listed in Appendix II CITES. Despite its vulnerability, this family of rays has very limited information, especially on their ecology and behaviour. In Morotai, Indonesia, there is a growing dive tourism industry involve sharks and rays as the main attraction that acts as an alternative livelihood for the local community. We are using Underwater visual census (UVC) for counting the sightings, abundance and behaviour of mobulids we encounter as well as information on the physical characteristic in every dive sites. From the data between 2014 - 2017, we record a Giant Manta (Manta birostris) and 49 bentfin devil rays (Mobula thurstoni) sightings in Matita Island and Galo-Galo Reef, South Morotai. In March to July 2017, Frequency of Occurrence (FO) of M. thurstoni in 50 dives is reaching 50% per single dive and the highest sightings in one dive were 30 individuals at 14th May 2017. It was found that physical characteristic of M. thurstoni sightings was at the depth of 30-35 m, the temperature of 30^oC, low current, while the only M. birostris sighting was at depth of 21 m with a strong current. Using this information, we aim to understand the ecology and behaviour of mobulid rays and hopefully can help to improve sustainable marine tourism as well as supporting the local government to implement protection to these species.