The Manta Science Advisory Board provides guidance to the Manta Network’s Board of Directors and staff. The board advises on a broad range of issues relating to the design, development, management and evaluation of research programs and projects. This insures scientific accuracy of research approaches and documents including educational information, project reports, grant proposals and other fundraising literature.

The Advisory Board is a working committee consisting of a small number of members with expertise in marine biology and technology. This combination of talents insures the success of research efforts and effective use of funds.

Board members take an active role in designing programs and planning their implementation. This includes recommending best scientific methods including sampling techniques. Science Advisory Board members may elect to personally direct specific portions of the field research.

Whereas most advisory boards are advisory in nature, the Manta Science boards is intended to take a hands-on approach. The ultimate goal of the Board and the Manta Network is to employ resources in the most efficient manner to increase the amount of valuable results. This approach will yield the best methods and practices leading to the protection and conservation of Manta birostris and related Mobulas worldwide.

Robert Rubin, Ph.D. was instrumental in the creation of The Manta Network. During a research trip to Archipelago de Revillagigedo in 1996, Dr. Rubin and Robert Aston envisioned a network where sport divers, photographers and the diving industry could support manta research while learning more about this important species. The Manta Network would act as a worldwide clearinghouse for manta information. Dr. Bob Rubin, Department of Biology, Santa Rosa Jr. College, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA, USA 95401, Phone: 707-527-4250, Fax: 707-527-4816, Email: rubin@mantas.org or to Karey Kumli, assistant to Dr. Bob Rubin, Phone: 707-527-4203, Email: karey@mantas.org Tim Clark, Ph.D. Candidate, Zoology Department, University of Hawaii, Email: tim@mantas.org Mark Koz, CEO, FutureTel Corporation, Email: mark@mantas.org

Heidi Dewar, Ph.D. has been very interested in Manta birostis for a long time. She is devoting an increasing amount of time in manta research and is now in the development of a global manta migration study. Initial focus will be the Pacific and Indian Ocean populations with satellite tags being initially deployed late this year or early next. She is currently working with the Census of Marine Life, Tagging of Pacific Pelagics, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission program, 8604 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037. Email: heidi@mantas.org Ellen V. Freund, Ph.D. , Salmon Ecology Group, NOAA Fisheries, Email: ellen@mantas.org