Manta rays: Yachties helping out

`An 18-foot manta gracefully gliding inches away` © Noonsite

"An 18-foot manta gracefully gliding inches away, staring directly at us with one of its big black eyes, is truly one of the most powerful and wondrous experiences we've ever had."

After spending 17 weeks over three years diving with oceanic manta rays at the Islas Revillagigedo, Pacific Mexico, Bruce and Alene of SY Migration completely fell in love with these beautiful and curious fish. They began sharing their photographs of the manta rays they came across with the Pacific Manta Research Group (PMRG) and then realised that many others in the cruising community could assist with "eyes" on the manta ray population as they cruise Mexican waters.

Working with the PMRG Bruce and Alene created a brochure that they hope will inform and inspire cruisers to keep an eye out for oceanic mantas and report any sightings. The data will be used by researchers to develop maps of the mantas' migratory routes, and perhaps help create protocols to avoid ship strikes and protect their habitat.

If you are sailing through the Pacific waters of Mexico, please download the brochure. If you are not in Mexico but have friends sailing in that area, please share this project with them.

Let us know at how you've been getting involved with the local community projects as you cruise and we'll feature your story here.

This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com