Manta Project Fiji Impact Report 2023

LAu archipelago
The sicklefin devilray
has been sighted in
Northern Lau.
Currently the only
sighting in Fiji
Image by Tom Vierus
Lau Group
Reef manta rays
make up the majority
of sightings across the
archipelago
The Lau
Group
Image by Tom Vierus
Key Partner
Conservation
International Fiji
Conservational International are supporting the
communities of Lau in creating the Lau Seascape, an
initiative which will build holistic ecosystem management
and protections.
Manta Project Fiji are collaborating with
Conservation International to deliver species
specific research and conservation goals in the region
surrounding mobula rays.
Project Overview
The Lau Group lies to the far east of the Fiji Islands, this scattered remote
archipelago is home to just 1% of Fiji’s population. Consisting of 60 islands
spread across 335,000 square kilometers, the Lau group represents Fiji’s most
remote habitats, many of which are home to incredible biodiversity and endemic
species.
Local knowledge in the region is rich, and coupled with dedicated research trips
multiple mobula species have been sighted in the region and hotspots identified.
The Lau Group is the only area in Fiji where the sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana)
has been sighted and is also home to the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi),
and elusive oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris).
The communities of Lau with the support of Conservation International are
working to build ocean conservation that balances protection and production of
the marine ecosystem they depend on. Manta Project Fiji is priveleged to
support this initiative by focusing on species specific research and conservation
aimed at the mobula ray family.
Our current aim in the region is to fill the large knowledge gaps that exist
surrounding mobula ray species ecology and build awareness of the species that
inhabit these waters and the pressures and threats they face.
Reef Manta Ray
(Mobula alfredi)
Vulnerable
Sighted Species
Oceanic Manta Ray
(Mobula birostris)
Endangered
Sicklefin Devil Ray
(Mobula tarapacana)
Endangered
Oceanic manta rays
have only been
recorded in the
region from tagging
data
Southern Lau has
displayed the most
manta ray sightings
Satellite tagging has revealed inter-island
migration between islands within southern Lau.
These migrations are likely to be common and
numerous amongst populations of reef manta
rays in Lau due to the oceanic nature of the
islands and distances between island groups.
We hope to deploy more satellite tags in the
coming year to investigate more about the
movement ecology across the whole
archipelago.