Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Marine biologist Aldo Zavala, a prominent member of Proyecto Manta, a civil organization dedicated to the protection of manta rays, has raised concerns over the alarming rate of boat-related incidents involving manta rays along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Zavala revealed that annually, approximately 30 percent of manta rays in the region suffer injuries from boat collisions, many of which result in fatalities.
Highlighting the significance of Banderas Bay, Zavala explained that the area hosts a substantial population of around 500 manta rays, representing one of the highest concentrations in Mexico. “We, in this stretch of the Mexican Pacific, live closest to this species in all of Mexico. This area is critically important to the species as it serves as a feeding ground, refuge, resting spot, and an area for courtship and breeding. It’s extraordinarily rare to witness such large aggregations of manta rays so close to shore,” Zavala emphasized.
However, these unique gatherings bring significant risk. Zavala recounted an incident involving an oceanic manta ray that suffered devastating damage, completely losing its left fin due to a boat strike. “This is typical of what we see in Banderas Bay. During our monitoring efforts, we’ve documented that roughly 30 percent of manta rays exhibit injuries from boat collisions or entanglements in fishing nets and lines,” he stated.
A crucial challenge in assessing the full extent of the damage is the difficulty in determining exact mortality rates since manta ray carcasses seldom surface. Unlike whales, whose bodies often float and can wash ashore, manta rays sink after death, complicating data collection. Zavala pointed out, “These rays don’t float readily after being struck. They tend to sink and quickly decompose underwater. Thus, we can’t accurately determine how many manta rays are actually dying each year from these incidents.”
Given this significant threat, Zavala underlined the urgent need to establish regulated navigation pathways or a nautical staircase in Banderas Bay. With increasing maritime traffic, such measures are critical to reducing collisions and protecting the manta ray population, as well as other marine life frequenting the region.
Proyecto Manta continues to advocate for stronger protections and awareness, emphasizing that safeguarding these magnificent creatures is imperative for ecological balance and biodiversity conservation along Mexico’s coast.
