Findings from a four-year National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries survey will help resource managers to more effectively protect manta rays.
NOAA Fisheries said the findings describe long-term patterns in the distribution of the manta ray, which feeds on zooplankton by filtering water and can have wingspans of up to 29 feet, according to an April 25 release. Threats include boat strikes, fisheries bycatch, oil and gas activities and contaminants.
“Giant manta rays have the biggest brains of any fish. They are capable of learning, remembering and even recognizing themselves in the mirror,” NOAA Fisheries said, according to the release. “They are also crucial to the ecosystem.”
The study found large rays occur consistently in warm, productive waters in the eastern U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico, the release reported. The study found more than 5,000 sightings of giant manta rays, which are threatened according to the Endangered Species Act. Sightings were made from a variety of sources, such as aerial surveys and social media posts.
The team aimed to use their gathered data to construct a model that describes the distribution of the giant manta ray species. The data accomplished its goal, as it provided scientists with insights on the places and times where these animals could be found, according to the release.