Exploring the World of Manta Rays Through Science and Conservation

Manta rays are among the ocean’s most distinctive inhabitants but understanding how they live, where they thrive and the challenges they face is an important part of protecting them.

On 10 October 2026, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) invited the public to explore the world of manta rays through its Talking Underwater public lecture, Mengenal Dunia Pari Manta: Ekologi dan Konservasi (Exploring the World of Manta Rays: Ecology and Conservation), at the Center for Marine Conservation (CMC) in Bali.

Held in recognition of World Animal Day 2026, the event brought together 46 participants, including 17 university students and 29 members of the public, to learn more about manta ray ecology, habitats and conservation.

Leading the conversation was Janis Argeswara, Manager & Scientist Indonesia at the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF), who drew on her research and field experience to offer participants a closer look at manta rays and the marine environments they depend on. The session also explored why research and continued protection of these habitats are important to the species’ future.

Participants were introduced to CTC and the Center for Marine Conservation before watching an educational video featuring manta rays in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area. The lecture was followed by a question-and-answer session, giving participants an opportunity to engage directly with a marine scientist and deepen their understanding of manta ray conservation.

Interest continued beyond the formal programme, with several participants staying behind to speak with Argeswara and learn more. For some, the lecture was also their first visit to CMC, opening another avenue to discover CTC’s wider marine conservation and ocean literacy work.

Through Talking Underwater, CTC is helping make marine science more accessible by connecting researchers and conservation practitioners directly with the public. By creating spaces where people can ask questions, encounter new ideas and better understand Indonesia’s extraordinary marine biodiversity, CTC hopes to inspire greater interest in the ocean and the importance of protecting it for the future.

Writer: Meghna Dey
Photos: Herni Frilia/CTC and Karenina/CTC