It’s manta ray madness at the Raja Ampat Diving Project at the moment, with peak manta season in full swing in the Dampier Strait. The project site is near three manta cleaning stations, so the team have collected some amazing recent footage and photos to share with us!
What is a manta ray cleaning station? These are reef-based locations where fish, sharks and mantas gather to receive a hygiene check and clean from parasitic copepods, cleaner wrasse, and butterflyfish. Manta rays are very hygienic animals and will spend a majority of their time here getting their gills, teeth and skin clean.
Cleaning stations make the perfect place to photograph the unique markings of a manta ray’s belly to distinguish individuals; these photos are then uploaded to the project’s database for species monitoring and research purposes, as well as updating local governments and communities to help implement long-term protection and restoration plans for the reefs. Check out the video below of the recent volunteers’ manta ray encounters:
While the team have been busy with manta ray identification, they have had some pretty captivating surface intervals too! Take a peek below at the team's favourite beach to visit when diving around Kri:
There is lots to see above and beneath the waves on this project! So, if you’re looking for a diving paradise where you’ll actively participate in meaningful marine conservation and community outreach, then head over to the Raja Ampat Diving Project page to find out more!
