NMFS - Giant Manta Ray Reporting

How You Can Help

Follow Manta Ray Safe Handling and Release Guidelines

Manta rays are incidentally captured in a variety of commercial and recreational fisheries. Because fisherman may accidentally catch manta rays while fishing for other species, safe handling and release guidelines (PDF, 14 pages) have been developed to reduce injury and harm to manta rays.

Report Manta Ray Sightings

If you encounter a giant manta ray, email us at: manta.ray@noaa.gov. Photos are very helpful and can be used to identify individual manta rays. Also, if you can report where you saw the manta, how big it was, and what condition it was in—this information will help us learn more about giant manta ray movements and habitat use and can inform recovery efforts for this threatened species.

Keep Your Distance

Be responsible when viewing marine life in the wild. Manta rays, in particular, are curious animals; however, please observe them from a safe distance. Never entice manta rays to approach you. Disturbing manta rays may interrupt their ability to perform critical functions such as feeding, breeding, resting, and socializing.

Additionally, collisions with vessels are a cause of injury to manta rays. If you encounter a manta ray, please reduce speeds to idle and slowly distance your vessel from the animal.

Reduce Ocean Trash

Entanglement in ocean trash (e.g., ropes and netting, packing material, garbage) can cause injuries to giant manta rays. Small plastic debris (“microplastics”) can also be accidentally ingested by manta rays, which may harm this threatened species. Reduce marine debris that pollutes giant manta ray habitat.

• Participate in coastal clean-up events

• Reduce plastic use

• Properly stow or dispose of fishing gear

Learn more about marine debris