Video Huge manta ray swims by divers in Maldives - ABC News
A scuba diver summoned a large manta ray to swim toward her in the Maldives by putting her arms out and rotating them.
abcnews.comHere are the latest manta ray news highlights you might find useful.
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New Zealand conservation status update: Manta rays in New Zealand have been recognized as Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable for the first time in the official status report on sharks and rays. This signals greater concern and a push for better data on populations, movements, and threats such as boat strikes and plastic pollution.[1]
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Florida manta research and events: Ongoing work by the Florida Manta Project continues to document manta sightings and injuries from human activity, including boat strikes. Researchers emphasize the importance of protective measures and local awareness in key coastlines where mantas are frequent visitors.[2]
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Global status and migrations: The Marine Megafauna Foundation reported notable developments, including the first documented world-first international migration patterns for reef manta rays and updates on the endangered status of the giant manta ray on the IUCN Red List. These findings underscore the need for international cooperation in protecting migratory manta populations.[3]
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Related media and outreach: Various outlets continue to feature videos and reports about mantas, including footage of interactions with divers and calls for responsible tourism and fishing practices to safeguard manta habitats.[6][9][10]
If you’d like, I can narrow these to a specific region (e.g., UK/Europe, the Pacific, or the Atlantic coast of the US) or pull out practical conservation actions and how they might affect local diving, boating, or tourism. I can also provide a quick one-page summary with key facts and links.