Florida Manta Project

Project Overview

The Florida Manta Project is the first dedicated study of Florida’s manta rays. We aim to fill knowledge gaps in their life history, identify critical habitats for protection, and quantify human impacts. We work with local and federal stakeholders to promote conservation, as well as raise awareness of threats to manta rays through our education programs.

Why this Matters

Manta rays are endangered globally, and populations are decreasing due to human-caused threats. In the shallow nearshore waters of south Florida, we see mostly small, juvenile manta rays, making this a potential nursery ground that is important to protect! Although they are listed in the Endangered Species Act in the US, we need more information to identify critical habitats for their protection. Acoustic telemetry helps us better understand long-term movement patterns and habitat use of manta rays in Florida.

Lead Organizations

• Marine Megafauna Foundation

Partners

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• The Field School

Supported by

• Disney Conservation Fund
• NOAA

Project Status

• Ongoing
  • FACT Project Codes:
    • MMFT (tags)
    • MMF (Array)

Contact

• Jessica Pate

Resources & Publications

• Florida Manta Project Page on MMF
• MMF Manta Ray Lesson Plan
• MMF Adopt a Manta Ray
• Article Urban Mantas: A potential nursery ground for manta rays may be under threat off southeastern Florida
• National Geographic Article: Young manta rays found Florida beaches
• The Palm Beach Post Article: Manta ray nursery discovered along southeast Florida coast
• Farmer NA et al. 2022. The distribution of manta rays in the western North Atlantic Ocean off the eastern United States. Scientific Reports 12: 6544.
• Fong V, Hoffmann SL, Pate JH. 2022. Using Drones to Assess Volitional Swimming Kinematics of Manta Ray Behaviors in the Wild. Drones 6 (5): 111.
• Pate JH, MacDonald C, and Wester J. 2021. Surveys of recreational anglers reveal knowledge gaps and positive attitudes towards manta ray conservation in Florida. Aquatic Conservation in Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 31 (6).
• Pate JH and Marshall AD. 2020. Urban manta rays: Potential manta ray nursery habitat along a highly developed Florida coastline. Endangered Species Research 43: 51–64.