Please select your home edition
Edition
Stoneways Marine 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Manta rays: Yachties helping out

by Noonsite 2 Mar 19:11 UTC
`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

Related Articles

Caribbean, Atlantic, Mediterranean ocean outlook
SY Tabata III is currently sailing up the Eritrea coast on the way to Jeddah Yachts visiting Djibouti report on the importance of getting the right agent for clearance, one who knows and understands small yachts. Most agents are geared towards commercial shipping and recreational cruising is little understood by the authorities. Posted on 2 Jun
Yachties helping out
Sailors and aid organisations band together to bring much needed supplies The second SSCA Bahamas Gathering in the small community of Black Point, Exumas, was yet again a great success. More than 85 boats joined the three days of festivities raising enough funds in advance of the event to provide host with a Starlink system. Posted on 31 May
Off the beaten path
British Colombia in Canada has wild cruising to offer Situated in West Africa, Guinea Bisseau is one of the few unexplored and little sailed paradises around the world. Posted on 1 May
Yachties helping out
There are plenty of Mantas in French Polynesia After spending time with the Manta Rays of the Islas Revillagigedo in Mexico and starting the "I Saw A Manta" citizen science project for the Pacific Mexico waters, Bruce and Alene of the Cross trimaran "Migration" sailed back to French Polynesia. Posted on 29 Apr
Red Sea, Caribbean, Atlantic, Mediterranean
The Suez Canal is busy with northbound transits as yachts head towards the Mediterranean The majority of cruising boats use Djibouti, at the entrance to the Red Sea, simply as a convenient stopover port to refuel. Posted on 28 Apr
Featured cruiser - Mary Bevan - SY Knot Safety
Mary Bevan ended up leaving her land-life in Vancouver for a voyage across the Pacific Through a chance encounter, Mary Bevan ended up leaving her land-life in Vancouver for a voyage across the Pacific and onward to New Zealand and Australia, and hasn't looked back. Posted on 2 Apr
Caribbean Sea, Atlantic and Mediterranean outlook
Scottish cruisers Sally and Simon Currin received a friendly welcome in a country of contrasts The Association of Bahamas Marinas has created a new mobile app available for both IOS and Android to complement their existing website. Posted on 31 Mar
Off the beaten path
After Covid, many sailing yachts have set their course north After reporting from Easter Island last month, Canadian cruisers Brent Crack and Mary Bevan share another report from an even more remote spot in the Pacific, Pitcairn Island, an experience, they say, that would be hard to replicate anywhere else. Posted on 3 Mar
Red, Caribbean, Atlantic and Mediterranean seas
Wade Alarie outlines the latest situation for those planning a Red Sea passage By the end of February, yachts are busy crossing the Red Sea in both directions. The big news is that the HRA designation has been lifted, and this should be reflected with insurance coverage starting to be offered to vessels. Posted on 3 Mar
Vitamin sea - Smart with seaweed
AgriSea use NZ's native brown seaweed as a bio-stimulant for agricultural use Double-handed circumnavigators Ivar Smits and Floris van Hees, recently spent an extended period in New Zealand, using the opportunity to tour the country by campervan. Posted on 1 Mar
Marine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso FOOTERNoble Marine 2022 SW - FOOTERCrewsaver 2021 Safetyline FOOTER