Another exciting day in West Manggarai and Komodo, and again the MantaWatch team split into two groups. Ayu, Evi, Tami and Andy joined Divine Diving to survey sites in the north of Komodo National Park. Meanwhile Gerald, Niomi, Dita and I stayed on shore and worked in the classroom.
The field team recorded many species in their logbooks today. A huge pod of dolphins on the surface, as well as whitetip, blacktip and grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse and hawksbill turtles. And they found mantas in The Cauldron. All of these species are protected in the new West Manggarai and Komodo manta ray and shark sanctuary, and our data is helping to develop this sanctuary. It’s never boring diving in West Manggarai and Komodo, there is so much biodiversity you feel like almost every ocean creature is here.
Manta in the Cauldron
In the classroom we worked on our weekly video diary, finished our report and recommendations to the district government, and started to make our Manta Mantap presentation. The work was fun. We chatted about mantas and listened to music and finally completed our tasks. Good team work!
Working hard in the classroom
Briefing before dive
