MANTA RAYS – DR. ANDREA MARSHAL – MANTA RAY RESEARCHER, MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique boasts one of the largest and most beautiful coastlines in Africa. Recently, it has been discovered that Inhambane Province is one of the world’s largest aggregation sites for Manta Rays. Manta Rays are the largest ray species in the world, reaching up to 7 meter wingspans and weighing up to 2,000 kg. Gentle giants, in every sense, these rays are not harmful to humans, have no poisonous stinging barb, and eat only tiny planktonic animals, which they strain through specialized filters in their enormous mouths. Manta Rays are also extremely inquisitive and seem to both seek out and enjoy contact with divers and snorkelers. With the largest brain to body ratio of any fish, these mysterious rays are thought to be highly social and ‘intelligent’. As one of the most charismatic and iconic fish in the sea, the opportunity to interact with Manta Rays should not be missed when visiting the region.

After years of dedicated field survey work and research in to the ecology of Manta Rays in southern Mozambique, it has become very apparent that this stretch of coastline is a critical habitat for these rays (www.marinemegafauna.org). Thousands of Mantas reside in these waters feeding in plankton rich waters and visiting inshore cleaning stations (where their cleaning needs are attended to by tiny reef fish). Perhaps most importantly, Manta Rays aggregate in these waters to find mates and give birth to their young. This coastline is one of the only identified breeding grounds for reef Mantas in the world with mating and birthing taking place in the summer months when the water is warm.

The recent discovery of a second species of Manta Ray in Mozambique shocked the world (www.saveourseas.com/manta-rays-a-new-species) and although both species giant rays live through the world’s oceans, Mozambique remains one of the only known locations where both species can be seen sharing habitat. This rare overlap conveniently allows scuba divers to encounter both of the world’s largest rays on a single dive. I

nhambane is also home to the only research being conducted on Manta Rays in Africa. Public talks are given each week in Tofo Beach courtesy of the Marine Megafauna Association (www.marinemegafauna.org/education) and marine research centers are open to visitation from the public throughout the year in Tofo Beach (www.marinemegafauna.org/about-us) and Zavora (www.oceans-research.com/marinelabfacilities/mozambiquezavora).

ZAVORA MARINE LAB. – YARA TIBIRICA, ZAVORA, MOZAMBIQUE

In 2009, the Zavora Marine Lab was established to promote and facilitate research and conservation in southern Mozambique. Our lab has since its inception developed vital research for the region and raised environmental awareness through educational programs with local communities and visitors.

Zavora is one of the few places in the world where both species of Manta Rays (Manta birostris and Manta alfredi) can be seen all year around. The sub-tropical reefs are stunning and the diversity of life is impressive. Zavora offers the unique opportunity to study a marine environment that had little to no impact from recreational diving activities and where there remains much reef yet to be explored. The laboratory works in partnership with Mozdivers Zavora, Zavora Lodge and the Oceans Research and is under the direction of B.Sc. M.(Ecotourism) Yara Tibiriçá (Iemanja – Marine Conservation).

We are currently developing projects involving Manta Ray populations, divers’ impacts on Manta Rays and cleaning stations used by Manta Rays, diversity and distribution of opisthobranches (nudibranchs and sea slugs), reef monitoring, socio-economic studies on dive tourism and the relative population abundance of migratory Humpback Whales. Our studies to date highlight the diversity of Zavora’s marine life; over 70 individual Manta Rays have been catalogued, more than 83 species of sea slugs have been identified, including a few undescribed species, along with 214 species of fish, and four reef monitoring surveys have been completed.

If you are coming to Zavora we invite you to attend one of our weekly presentations on Zavora’s marine life. If you wish to go deeper and to learn more about marine science and our fabulous marine life you may also apply for a month long internship program (limited space and CVs required) or participate in a marine conservation scientific dive course focusing on Manta Rays (15 days of theoretical and practical field work, this program is exclusively for groups from 6 to 8 people).

For more information please visit our website www.zavoralab.com , www.oceans-research.com or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

HUMPBACK WHALES – AARON BANKS – MARINE MAMMAL BIOLOGIST

Between the months of July and October Humpback Whales occur throughout the coastal waters of the Inhambane region, Mozambique. Each year Humpback Whales migrate between their summer feeding grounds off Antarctica and their winter breeding grounds of the Southwest Indian Ocean.

Being the most aerially active of all whale species and with the breeding season being the best time to experience this behavior, Humpbacks can frequently be seen breaching (jumping) and lob-tailing (slapping tail on the surface). The reason for this behavior is likely to be for a number of reasons, but is generally believed to be associated with communication – a display of dominance or hierarchy; reinforcement of another communicative signal or location. Whatever the reason may be, with humpbacks measuring up to 16 meters long and weighing up to 45 tons in weight, a breaching humpback is certainly one of the most impressive behaviors to witness within the animal kingdom.

Their tall bushy blows often scatter the horizon as males compete against each other for females and mothers-to-be give birth to a single calf. The newly born calf (4.5m long) will suckle its mother’s milk for the next 6-12 months. The fat-rich milk will provide the calf with not only enough energy to grow but also the energy to sustain the long journey to the feeding grounds in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean.

Below the surface, males produce an incredible audio display or “song”. The song, which can be over 30 minutes in length, (depending on the population) is repeated over and over again with precision. The reason behind this “song” is still in debate; however, each male within the population sings the same song, which slowly evolves over time. The song can be heard throughout the breeding season and is easily heard by scuba divers or snorkelers, adding a haunting but yet beautiful addition to the dive. On a calm day, you may even hear it reverberating through the hull of a boat.

Whether you observe them from land or by boat, the recovering population of Humpback Whales along the shores of Mozambique provides an opportunity to witness one of nature’s most graceful animals.