The Manta Network will be conducting research into manta ray behavior in the Indian Ocean off Eastern Africa. You are invited to participate as a research assistant and aid our scientists in the collection of important data that will lead to manta protection. The Karios Research Vessel has been specially equipped to conduct a wide rage of oceanographic investigations. All if the modern equipment such as GPS, satellite communications, WiFi wireless Internet, specialized diving equipment, high resolution underwater video and photographic equipment and underwater communications can be used and is included in the price. Departures & Itinerary We are offering four 10-day (9 nights) expeditions. Departure dates are: September 28, October 10, October 22 & November 3, 2006 Travel to Dar, Tanzania can be arranged through our travel consultant, Uncommon Adventures, with a special discount. Air travel will generally require an additional day of travel on each end of the trip. An overnight in Dar for the inbound travel may be required. Day 1: Arrive in Dar airport; greeted by Manta Network and Karios staff; transfer to ship, ship leaves the same day; sleep on-board Day 2: Ship tour and initial training on research equipment and procedures; check-out and warm-up dives; introductory manta lecture Day 3-8: Diving for manta identification, acoustic tracking and DNA tissue sampling; daily data evaluation; research planning; manta lecture Day 9: Diving; evaluation of research data collected, final lecture and presentation; sleep on-board while ship returns to port Day 10: After breakfast, leave the ship for the airport or special excursions Unlimited diving within safety limits will be allowed including several night dives. All meals and drinks are included.

The cost of the 10-day/9-night trip is $3,800 USD without air. All accommodations are based on double occupancy. A special discount of $250 USD applies to non-divers. Jim Harlan, Uncommon Adventures can make all travel arrangements including special excursions to mainland Africa. Three additional manta expeditions in August and early September are also offered but will not be attended by Manta Network staff and scientists. The cost of these trips is somewhat lower. For more information on additional schedules and costs, contact Robert Aston. Included at no additional cost: Airport transfers between Dar Es Salaam and M/V Kairos on day of arrival and departure Diving Tanks, weights, weights belts Dive gear (short wetsuits, fins, masks, snorkel, pressure gauge, depth gauge, dive computer, buoyancy compensator, dive lights, etc.) Underwater digital photo and video equipment Nitrox fills Specialty courses (certification extra) Government taxes and Natural parks diving fees Accommodation on a double occupancy basis Full pension All the beverages (water, soft drinks, beer, wines and liquors) Snacks Open bar Not included (costs vary): Airfare Airport taxes Certification costs (CMAS, PADI, TDI) Visas and vaccinations costs Short term cancellation insurance Luggage insurance Personal diving insurance Repatriation insurance Personal expenses Meals at the airport Value Added Taxes (VAT)

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ABOUT THE RESEARCH The scarcity of research on manta rays (Manta birostris) hampers effective conservation management. Although there is no industrial fishery for manta rays, they are taken throughout much of their range. They are caught incidentally on long-lines, in near-shore set nets, and in tuna purse seines. They are targeted in artisan fisheries in Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia. In Lamakera, Indonesia, the mantas’ dried gill rakers are sold to Asian medicinal markets. Due to the high price for the gill rakers, manta catch here has increased dramatically from approximately 75 in the late 1990’s to as many as 1,500 in 2002. Related mortality of manta rays by fisheries is cause for concern. Mantas are extremely susceptible to over-fishing due to their low fecundity, small population size, and limited migration in some areas. There are numerous reports of declining populations in Mexico, Bora Bora, and the Philippines. In order to develop a conservation plan, additional population structure and life history data are crucial. The research conducted on board the Karios in the Indian Ocean off East Africa will contribute to several of our global research efforts. The three principal research projects are: Manta Global Database – creating a global knowledge base to understand population dynamics using photo ID and direct observations by our network of research affiliates worldwide Indo-Pacific Manta Migration Study project goals include: Map the distribution of resident and migratory populations and identify features that influence the observed patterns. Describe the scope of movement for migratory mantas. Determine population structure throughout the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Identify potential sources of mortality. Define critical habitat and environmental preferences. Work with local communities to obtain life history information and to educate the public. Identify appropriate conservation strategies (e.g., marine protected areas, time area closures). Continuous Manta Monitoring – understanding the dynamics of resident manta rays using a network of remotely controlled underwater video cameras. Research Activities and Goals: The Manta Network aims to collect the data on manta biology that is necessary to protect them from over exploitation. The project will include the following activities: Identify the makeup of the local population including defining habitat preferences. This will be done in a two-step program. First the Kairos team will assemble as much information on local mantas as available. Second, our team will visit to survey prime manta locations. With the help of staff and the eco-tour participants, we will photo/video-document mantas and their habitat behavior (i.e. cleaning stations, feeding, social interaction)

We will employ our unique underwater video monitoring system on-board. This will allow 24x7 eyes below the boat (even at night) to monitor behavior without the presence of divers. Fiber-optic/power cables will connect the camera to the Karios and will be relocated each time the ship is moved. Acoustic tags will be applied during each trip to track local movements. We will require a smaller boat to follow the tagged manta’s movements. DNA tissue samples will be taken as possible to add to our global understanding of population diversity. Photographs and video taken during the entire tour and research will to be used in the creation of a documentary and for manta identification analysis. Satellite tags may also be applied for long-term and long-range studies to understand migration behavior. This will depend on identifying non-resident mantas (results of acoustic tagging) and available funds to purchase sufficient numbers of tags as each tag will cost in excess of $5,000. The tag is attached using a spear gun. During the trip, we will hold classroom discussions on all that is known about manta rays. A PADI Manta Certification Program and award certificates may be included. Methodology: To document the movements of migratory manta rays we use pop-up satellite archival tags (PAT). Tags record temperature, depth and light intensity for 9 months then release, float to the surface and transmit collected data to the Argos satellites. Temperature and depth describe behaviors and habitat preferences. Light levels and sea surface temperatures are used to estimate latitude and longitude. Movements will be examined in relation to environmental conditions and the distribution of fisheries. To compliment satellite telemetry, DNA analysis will be used to examine population structure. Population dynamics, potential barriers to migration, and connectivity among regions will be investigated using nuclear microsatellite analysis. Photo-ID is effective because manta rays have distinct pigment patterns that allow individuals to be identified. By using photo-ID and video, insights into behaviors, reproductive biology, and the distributions of resident versus migratory populations can be obtained. We will work with local groups to establish regional photo-ID programs and to develop public education aimed at manta ray conservation. Equipment we may be bringing include: Underwater digital photography cameras and housing including: Nikon D70, Olympus 8080 Sony HD video with Gates underwater housing Macintosh computers 5-10 acoustic tags and receiver 3 PAT with spear gun (unless one is available locally) MantaCam remotely operated underwater camera system with shipboard server (unless Linux server is available) 24 tissue-sampling kits Personal dive gear

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About the Karios Research Vessel The Kairos is a36 meters long and 7 meters wide, although an oceanographic research vessel, has been entirely conceived for the comfort and satisfaction of 12 guests in 6 spacious and fully air-conditioned cabins. At a cruising speed of 8 knots, passengers can fully enjoy the comfortable and marine designed environment of this remarkably stable ocean-going ship. All equipment available onboard is included in the price! Internet WiFi (email for everybody) GPS: C-MAP-NT chart map Two tenders (crew operated equipped with 50cv outboard engines, echo-sounder and VHF) Digital Video Cameras (DVCAM/MiniDV) 1 Sony PD150 3 Sony VX2100 2 Extreme Vision camera houses + 4" monitor Lightings 2 200w HMI spotlights with 100m surface power supply 2 50 w HDI spotlights 100m custom-designed optical fiber broadcast device with facial mask communication system interface Digital Cameras 2 Olympus C5060 with camera houses Computers and screens 42’ Plasma screen PDP 435 HDE 2 PC multi-media 400Go, flat screens Studio 9 media suite software Photoshop element 3

Interior equipment: Six spacious guest cabins fully air conditioned, 3 of which with en-suite heads and showers, with both twin or double-berths; A large classroom for the briefings and certificate courses on the accommodation level with all kind of multimedia facilities (TV, DVD, VCR, library, 2 multi-media PC, LAN, color printer, Wireless network, Satellite phone and more); A spacious dining-room and bar equipped with a king size plasma screen; A technical zone where every guest has a reserved space to put his own diving equipment; A professional galley, with two walk-in fridges, secret reserve from which the chef draws his daily inspiration, for the utmost delight of our guests; An outside dining room, teak furnished, well shaded, to benefit from the beautiful views and refreshing sea breeze from breakfast to sunset. The underwater digital photo and video workshop is available for all the guests free as far as it is used in the framework of the expedition. You can use any of these: 12 Apollo submarine scooters (black ones) 6 Rebreather Dolphins Drager 2 Atmosphere face masks with underwater communication system 6 O2 Tanks - 6 15 Aluminum Nitrox tanks - 12 6 Calypso Nitrox regulator 4 Oxygen Analyzer 4 Archimede Nitrox computer V-Planner diving software Fins size 10-12, 13-14, 5-6, 7-8, Masks and snorkels, Short wetsuits 3mm Weights and belts Motorized Hand Gliders (ULM) Polaris FIB 582