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Sightings

Submit a sighting

Sightings Map

Oceanic manta rays are a globally endangered species. Currently the biggest threat to Aotearoa’s manta rays is the lack of data. We simply don’t know enough about these animals to protect them.

By submitting your sightings to Manta Watch NZ, you are directly contributing to our national research and conservation efforts.

Submit your images and sightings on the form below and in return, we will provide feedback about the manta(s) you encountered and if your manta is new to our database you will be given the opportunity to name your manta ray!

Download our Data Collection Guide so you know exactly what type of data we would like you to collect so that we can get the most value out of your sightings.

Finally, to ensure that your manta rays encounters are safe and respectful for all concerned please check out and download our Best Practice Guide.

 

Manta Images & Videos:

Please send your high resolution manta media to the project via email mantawatchnewzealand@gmail.com or any of these free online transfer methods:

We Transfer, Dropbox, Google Drive

Total Sightings: 658

  • Citizen Scientists: 442
  • Fisheries: 28
  • Manta Watch NZ: 188

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= Spinetail Devil Rays

= Oceanic Manta Rays

    New Zealand Manta Ray Sightings Form

    Name*
    Email*
    Date of Sighting*
    Beginning of Encounter*
    Ending of Encounter*
    Weather Conditions
    Location*
    GPS Latitude*
    GPS Longitude*
    Convert Decimal Degrees to DMS
    Sea State
    Sea Surface Temperature
    Water Depth

    Specify Species Encounted*

    Number of Individuals*
    Approx Size (meters)

    Gender*

    Manta Behavior

    Cruising (moving slowly on or just under water surface) Feeding (backwards rolls at surface / actively moving through zooplankton i.e. krill swarms) Cleaning (Hovering just above the reef and interacting with small reef fish) Courtship (one or more pairs of manta rays, one actively chasing/shadowing the other)

    Verification Image*

    Images / footage that clearly captures the highlighted area can be used to ID your manta ray.

    Example of Good ID

    We would love as many images and/or bits of footage as possible. The more you share, the more we can learn about your encounter.

    Please send your additional images or footage to mantawatchnewzealand@gmail.com via any of these free online transfer methods:
    We Transfer, Dropbox, Google Drive

    Injuries

    General Observations Comments