Manta Project Fiji Impact Report 2023

We have recorded four different
manta rays making a migration
between Wakaya Island and the
Yasawa Islands
Photo ID - Migration
Manta Channel,
The Yasawa Islands
Approx. 260km
Wakaya
Island
Image by Tom Vierus
Wakaya Island
Wakaya Island
Key Partners
Project Overview
Reef Manta Ray
(Mobula alfredi)
Wakaya Island is part of the Lomaiviti Group of islands situated to the east of
Viti Levu. Wakaya Island is surrounded by an extensive reef system and large
lagoon on the eastern side, on the western side the island is fringed by a deep
channel dropping to over 900m deep. This deep channel funnels strong currents
and nutrient rich water into the reefs and lagoons, creating perfect conditions
for manta rays to both forage and clean.
After sporadic data collection from citizen scientists over the years, Manta
Project Fiji and Wakaya Island Resort began working together very closely in
2023 to better understand the manta population found around Wakaya Island.
At a similar time the NAI’A liveaboard who also dive Wakaya’s coral reefs began
submitting consistent manta identification data taken on their trips.
Satellite Tagging
During 2023 we managed to deploy four
satellite tags on reef manta rays around Wakaya
Island. Currently we know very little about the
movement ecology of mantas found here and
how well connected they are to other
populations around the country.
These tags will allow us to investigate these
movements and potential new critical habitats
in the area.
Wakaya Island
Resort
Wakaya Island Resort and Manta Project Fiji
began working together more closely in 2023,
which has been reflected in the large increase
in data collected from the area. Wakaya Island
is surrounded by a large barrier reef which
joins to the adjacent island, Mokogai. This
extensive reef system is home to a wonderful
array of marine life.
The NAI’A
Fiji
The NAI’A Fiji is the South
Pacific’s Premier Liveaboard
offering spectacular diving
throughout Fiji. Visiting Wakaya
Island regularly the NAI’A has
contirbuted significantly to manta
ID data collected around the
island duiring 2023.
The primary survey sites around the island are predominantly cleaning
stations found along the outer edge of the reef, however manta rays are
sighted foraging in areas of the lagoon during certain lunar cycles.
Number of
Survey Days
54
Manta rays were sighted
on 70% survey days
2023
247
Number of
Manta SightinGs
Average of 6.5 Manta
Rays Sighted per Survey
2023 in review
273 manta ray sightings were recorded
Surveys were conducted on 54 days between April - November
Manta rays were sighted on 70% of survey days
Average of 6.5 manta rays per survey was recorded
73 different manta rays were recorded
35 new manta rays were recorded and added to the database
4 Satellite tags were deployed