Manta Project Fiji Impact Report 2023

Mobula Ray Species
Mobula rays are some of the largest and most intelligent fish in the ocean. These cartilaginous filter feeders are found throughout the tropical and sub-tropical oceans of the world. Currently in Fiji
five mobula species have been identified, two species of manta ray; the oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) and the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi), and three species of devil ray; the bentfin devilray
(Mobula thurstoni), the sicklefin devilray (Mobula tarapacana) and the spinetail devilray (Mobula mobular).
Manta Rays
Reef manta rays are the most common mobula ray sighted around Fiji, being monitored at
many well known aggregation sites. Oceanic manta rays are only known to aggregate at one
site in the country, however sporadic sightings have been recorded across the country.
Devil Rays
Very little is known about the three species of devil ray documented in Fiji. Since 2012 only a
handful of sightings exist from the Yasawa Islands, Namena Island and the Lau Group.
Vulnerable
Endangered Endangered Endangered Endangered
Reef Manta Ray
(Mobula alfredi)
Oceanic Manta Ray
(Mobula birostris)
Sicklefin Devil Ray
(Mobula tarapacana)
Spinetail Devil Ray
(Mobula mobular)
Bentfin Devil Ray
(Mobula thurstoni)
Manta illustrations throughout document by Marc Dando