![]() ![]() Most of the information on the giant devil ray has been gathered through bycatch data because the species has a high bycatch mortality. largest brain to body ratio of any living fish, these gentle giants are under threat. As a result, it is sensitive to environmental changes. The largest of all rays and one of the largest fish in the ocean. Some entangled mantas would swim directly to us as if to solicit assistance. The devil fish has a limited range and a low rate of reproduction. These encounters always reminded us how intelligent these animals truly are. Our team members could spend entire dives cutting away at the nets and lines- the mantas patiently cooperating, remaining calm, barely swimming, the whole time. But the study authors believe a new method employed in their research could prove useful for similar studies moving forward. ![]() There were times I would find myself hooked and entangled myself as I tried to rescue the mantas, and I constantly worried about getting pulled into the depths once connected to the mantas and the lines. The manta ( Manta birostris ), which tipped the scales at an astounding 1,000 kilos (2,200 lbs), was accidentally caught by fishermen off the coast of Caleta la Cruz. Despite being the second-largest type of ray in the world (behind only the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray), little is known about the population dynamics of Reef Manta Rays in the Raja Ampat region. ![]() Some of the mantas were so badly entangled with heavily fouled nets that the lines would embed into their skin, making rescue extremely difficult and dangerous. Every year we would spend dive after dive removing fishing lines, hooks, and, worst case, large fishing nets from the mantas. "I was shocked to see how prevalent entanglements were in the region. Andrea details harrowing accounts of rescues during her time there: Sadly, the study surfaced an alarming finding– over 500 individuals showed human-induced scarring, mainly from nets or fishing line entanglement – highlighting a significant threat from fishing in the region. A giant oceanic manta getting friendly with our photo identification team off the coast of Ecuador.Ĭopyright: Andrea Marshall The prevalence of fishing line entanglements ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |