University of Guam graduate student’s research on Micronesian mantas has spawned a new non-profit - Micronesian Conservation Coalition (MCC), with several community outreach programs on Guam and the region as well as the annual Manta Mania event taking place this month in Yap.
 
Master of Science in Biology candidate, Julie Sawbulyal Britsch Hartup jumped into the relatively uncharted waters of manta research and was the first to document the Guam phenomenon of mantas congregating to feed on fish eggs during the phase of the moon when surgeonfish spawn. Guam is the only place worldwide that this behavior has been scientifically documented.
 
Hartup is the Mariana Islands Program Leader for the not-for-profit Manta Trust, based in the United Kingdom. She is hosting the Manta Trust’s Founder, Guy Stevens, on Guam this week before they both take off for the second annual Manta Mania at the Manta Ray Bay Resort in Yap from February 7-17, where divers and researchers will converge for research, education and recreation.

“We know very little about these magnificent creatures. Many fundamental questions about the lives of mantas have yet to be answered,” said Stevens.

Conservation of mantas and the habitats that support them is the end goal of Manta Trust.  A fortuitous trip to the Maldives as a marine biologist in 2005 brought Stevens up close and personal with a population of mantas that he has come to know intimately. Individual manta rays can be identified by spot patterns, which allow researchers to study them year after year.

“Mantas have a curiosity about humans and they will solicit attention if they are in need of help. Over the years, I have had several encounters with mantas entangled in fishing line wrapped around their bodies. These individuals appeared to solicit my help, enabling me to cut them free”, explained Stevens.

Hartup traveled to the Maldives in 2011 to meet Stevens and the mantas.

“He has been a mentor for my research and has been very supportive of my efforts to launch the local non-profit MCC,” said Hartup.

Our Guam Waters is the educational and outreach component of this local non-profit.

“The program is designed to engage high school students on Guam with the marine environment surrounding the island and foster an understanding of the importance of protecting Guam’s reefs and all the creatures that live there,” said Hartup.

The research activities of MCC include identifying Guam’s manta population, at this time a total of 43 mantas have been documented; pelagic sharks research; and Ulithi Marine Turtle Project.

Hartup and other University of Guam students continue to make substantial contributions to science and the region through their dedication to research and the people, plants and animals of Micronesia. For more information on mantas and more, please visit micronesianconservation.org and mantatrust.org.