Manta Ray Survival
(Shiyam, 2012)
“Project MANTA is a multidisciplinary study of manta rays” (Project Manta 2017). This campaign was created in 2007. Due to the lack of data about manta rays, its aims are to provide more data about the biological and ecological parts of a manta ray. This project is based in eastern Australia (Project Manta 2017).
Project Manta also uses photo identification to gather data on Manta Rays. How does this work? Manta rays have unique patterns which are below their belly (Photo Identification 2017). Just like how humans has thumb prints, mantas has spot-patterns which distinguishes them from one another. The project request people to help take pictures of manta rays belly and send their photo to their website. The pictures are then processed and compared to their database to see if it has been seen before or if it’s a new manta to be added.
(Project Manta 2007)
(#projectmanta n.d.)
This project capitalises on the community as it allows anyone who has taken a photo of a manta within the Australian coast to submit their picture. Submissions are made via their website and provides an easy template on what kind of photos they are looking for. Project Manta also has their own Facebook page which has 14,724 people who likes it (Project Manta 2017). They also post about events that help educate people more about manta rays. Project manta has proven to be a successful initiative in preserving and monitoring manta rays in Australian waters. To As well as to educate and raise awareness of these gentle giants. However, has project manta made a strong impact?
Verdict
Looking at their goals, project manta has achieved some of it. One of their main goals was to get more data on the manta rays around the coast of Australia. Thanks to Project Manta, they now have a better understanding of mantas in the area and discovered over 800 manta rays that circulate around the Coral Bay region (Hinaki, 2017). Approximetly 60% of their database comprises of ID Manta photos summited by the community. (Zaunmayr, 2017).
(Leonard, C 2009)
Yet another milestone Project Manta has achieved would be the organisational partners they are currently working closely with. One of these organisations, Earth Watch, has set up an expeditional program that allows people to contribute to Project Manta's research (Project Manta Ningoloo n.d.). Earth Watch encourages people to sign up to their online program and have their expeditions posted on the Project Manta page (Project Manta WA First Volunteer Trip, 2015). This not only helps their research but also increase their reach to people who would be interested in participating in these activities. People who had participated in Project Manta can also post their picture and hashtag #projectmanta (#projectmanta n.d.).
By posting their picture with the hashtag this can help other people be more aware of the campaign. This might even interest other people to be part of it. This is similar to the “it’s OK to talk” campaign. A campaign where men would take selfies of themselves and post it on their social media profiles. The purpose of the campaign was to help spread more awareness for men to talk about their feelings. Linking this back to Project Manta, having people post and participate in this activity allows the campaign to reach out to a large group of people as they are able to interact with the project.
(#projectmanta n.d.)
(LemonCrumpet 2009)
Another organisation that has recognised their efforts is PADI. PADI is an organisation that teaches and certifies people with dive licenses. PADI has their own Project Aware campaigns to help educate people the importances of marine life (Why PADI, n.d,). One of their campaigns includes "Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism: A Guide to Best Practice". Within this guide book Project Manta is mentioned in it (Responsible Shark and Ray Tourism: A Guide to Best Practice, n.d., p 37). Being featured in PADI Project Aware shows the impact it has made on the ocean community and how people can now be more aware of their project.
Project Manta was also made into a documentary in 2011 (Project Manta Productions, n.d.). The film explained about these complex creatures as well as discuss the issues that are threatening its kind. The documentary was aired on ABC Australia (The Wild Ones: Project Manta, n.d.) and on National Geographic Wild (About the Show, n.d). It was also awarded with several awards such as the Award for Creative Excellence 2011, Best Documentary Marine & Earth Sciences 2012, Eureka Award for Best Science Journalism 2012 and many more awards (Project Manta Productions, n.d.). Overall with the use of the technology they have, Project Manta was able to garner attention to the project. With the help of their website, documentary and other media platforms, they manage to get people to not only be aware of their mission but to participate in it.
(Shiyam, 2012)
Reference
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About the Show n.d., Manta Mystery, National Geographic, viewed 24 May 2017, <http://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/tv/manta-mystery/#about>
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Shiyam, E 2012, Reef manta ray (Manta alfredi) at Dharavandhoo Thila, Image, Wikimedia Commons, viewed 1 June 2017, <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dharavandhoo_Thila_-_Manata_Black_Pearl.JPG>
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Zaunmayr, T 2017, Public call to name Ningaloo manta ray, The West Australian, 26 January, viewed 1 June 2017, <https://thewest.com.au/news/pilbara-news/manta-ray-research-expands-horizons-ng-b88349553z>.