Please enjoy this video about Seahawk assisting with Manta Ray field research in Raja Ampat.
One of the loveliest parts of our time in Raja Ampat was getting to be part of a scientific mission studying the incredible manta rays that call these waters home. Alongside Yacht Aid Global and the Elasmobranch Institute of Indonesia, Seahawk hosted Dr Edy Setyawan, Dr Danang Ambar Prabowo and Abdy Hasan, who were conducting the Manta research alongside their work on the elusive walking sharks.
Manta research suggests perhaps one of the best reasons for spending more time in the water. We visited cleaning stations, snorkeled, filmed, and spent plenty of time bobbing on the surface, patiently waiting for these big, beautiful sea animals to come along.
When the mantas arrived, everything suddenly became very quiet. We would slip into the water with our cameras and watch them swoop and glide around us, often coming incredibly close. They really are enormous but somehow manage to move through the water with the most effortless, floaty grace. Watching them circle around the cleaning stations was magical.
The team was photographing the underside of each manta, as every single one has its own special pattern of spots, a little bit like a fingerprint. These photographs help the researchers identify individual mantas and build a picture of their movements and the population visiting Raja Ampat.
Observing the manta and walking shark research as it unfolded made for some very exciting days onboard. One minute we were hearing about the latest walking shark discovery, and the next we were heading into the water to quietly observe and film the mantas. There was always something happening, whether we were patiently waiting on the surface for a sighting, diving to observe the cleaning stations, or watching the mantas glide peacefully through the water. It was such a special few days to be part of, and even more rewarding to know that the time spent observing and filming was contributing to such important research.
Raja Ampat really does have a habit of making a day at work feel a little bit magical.
Written by Sarah Thrower.
Second stewardess.