save the mantas

Wing named official Hula Kai underwater videographer | Hawaii247.org | Hawaii 24/7

January 21st, 2010

Photo courtesy of James Wing

Wing named official Hula Kai underwater videographer
Posted on January 20, 2010. Tags: big island ocean guides, hula kai, james wing, manta ray

Manta rays are common visitors to Kona’s waters.

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island Ocean Guides has announced the appointment of James Wing as the official Hula Kai underwater videographer.

Marine photographer Wing, known locally as the “Manta Man,” brings two decades of manta ray and scuba diving experience along the Kona Coast. Wing’s work has been prominently featured in the New York Times, New York Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Honolulu Advertiser in addition to numerous dive and travel publications. His marine subjects include manta rays, whales, dolphins, and reef fish.

Manta Rays are a “must do” for anyone who travels to Hawaii and the activity has been touted as “one of the top-10 things to do in your lifetime” by the Travel Channel.

As Hula Kai’s official underwater videographer, Wing records the manta ballet on each excursion and participants can view it on a HD monitor during the short jaunt back to Keauhou.

A fully edited, customized DVD with music is made available for purchase to passengers to preserve and share this once in lifetime experience with friends and family.

Hula Kai’s Evening Manta Night Snorkel & Dive Adventure departs nightly at sunset. Guests are treated to a fun yet safe environment in which to observe up close the gentle and graceful mantas feeding nightly on plankton.

Excursion includes snorkel gear, wetsuit, instruction plus warm beverages, soups and snacks. For information or to make a reservation on a Hula Kai Manta Night Snorkel & Dive go to: www.fair-wind.com

Fair Wind, Big Island Ocean Guides offer exclusive snorkeling and scuba diving tours to exciting locations along the beautiful Kona Coast. Fair Wind’s tradition of excellence and aloha has earned a well- deserved reputation as the first choice among residents and visitors for ocean adventure fun. Fair Wind is ranked the No. 1 activity in Kailua Kona by Trip Advisor.

Photo courtesy of James Wing

via Wing named official Hula Kai underwater videographer | Hawaii247.org | Hawaii 24/7.

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Female manta ray recognizes the scientist who saved her life

December 18th, 2009

Guy Stevens was on a diving expedition studying Manta Rays when one in particular caught his attention. In his experience they are usually shy around humans but this very large female swam right up to him. At first he was awestruck by the moment and her beauty, but then he noticed several distinct markings on her back and sides. Then he realized that it was exposed flesh due to a fishing line that had wrapped itself around her body cutting her with deep gashes.

Armed with a diving knife he kept motioning for her to come closer and to his surprise, she did. He began to gently cut away the line and found a very large hook stuck in her mouth, which must have made it nearly impossible for her to eat. He was shocked as she remained still and allowed him to move around her cutting the line as he went. The other Manta’s were swimming all around but none ever came very close to him or the other divers. When he was finished he slowly backed away and she began to circle around him several times before swimming away. It felt like she was thanking him.

A few days later they went back to dive in the same place and soon they were surrounded by several large Mantas. One separated itself from the group and gently circled each diver until it came to Guy. He realized it was a female as she began circling him over and over again, which was definitely odd behavior. Then he noticed the cuts on her sides and back. This was the SAME Manta he had saved days earlier.

How had she recognized him? Was it possible she was searching for him when she circled the other divers? She stayed with Guy for several minutes, never paying any attention to anyone else in the dive group. The other divers stared in amazement at what was happening, they had never experienced behavior like this from Manta Rays. Eventually she slowly swam away but Guy has never forgotten that moment where it felt like she was, again, thanking him for saving her life. He could see her cuts had begun to heal and she would survive but her unique behavior reminds him of how little we know about these amazing creatures.

via In A Manta Rescue a female Manta Ray recognizes the man who saved her life.

Posted in Manta Blogs, Selected Manta Videos | 1 Comment »

Book Review: Diving The World

December 17th, 2009

A guide to the world’s most popular dive sites

Diving the World, a guide to the world’s most popular dive sites by Beth and Shaun Tierney, is a wonderful journey to the best diving on the planet. Written by well renowned divers and authors Beth and Shaun Tierney, who have dived and explored every destination in the book, making it a well- researched, comprehensive and inspirational guide.

As a scuba diver and underwater photojournalist for more than 35 years, I have traveled to many of the same locations highlighted in this book. I enjoyed revisiting these locations through the images and story.

This highly informative and impressive collection of dive destinations and location details provides both the new and well-seasoned traveler with as much in depth data as is possible in a world survey. The underwater photographs and map illustrations add much to the journey.

I was pleased to find several locations that have either been on my list of ‘must dives’ or that are welcomed surprises to add to my list.

Robert Aston,
Editor-in-chief,
On-the-Edge Magazine

Please visit:
On-the-Edge Magazine: www.on-the-edge.com
MyScubaGuide.com: www.myscubaguide.com

via Remote exotic diving adventures worldwide.

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Support Dive The Galapagos — Mantas at Cousins Island

December 9th, 2009

Dive The Galapagos seeks your support for membership in two newly formed Facebook groups. Please join these groups so the way we all feel might become one huge voice that will be heard.

Boycott and Blame Shark Killers

The DATA Project: Divers Against Touching Animals

For more details on each group, please read this open plea from our blog.

I am very lucky to dive in the Galapagos each month where we have mantas, mobulas, eagle rays and more. Also many sharks. In November I had an amazing experience snorkeling (not even diving) with 10 giant mantas…9 males chasing a female so close to us that I was clipped by a wing. I have never had such an incredible experience with Mantas even diving the landmark site of Wolf. I think there were more Mantas at Cousins in November than Wolf. Yes, I’m spoiled and lucky: hammerheads, mantas, eagle rays and more are the norm here.

Leslie Thomasson
Dive The Galapagos
WebSite: www.divethegalapagos.com
Blog: www.divingthegalapagos.com
E-Mail leslie@divethegalapagos.com

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Manta Network Supports Shark Rescue Contest

December 7th, 2009

main-banner1

The End Shark and Manta Fining - Protecting endangered shark species around the world.

Enter now and you might win a 10+ Day Cruise for you and your buddy aboard the S.M.Y. Ondina

Discover the best diving and snorkeling in the world

To enter, simply get our 3-Card Pack.

You might win a trip worth nearly US$5000

The more you get, the better your chances of winning

Makes a great gift Register 3 or more times and get a free T-shirt

This competition is being held to promote Shark Rescue, and is not in itself a fundraising activity. Please contact us us for details.

Hong Kong Trade Promotion Competition License No. 32865

©Sigei Media 2009 | Legal Notice and Terms of Use

via Shark Rescue Contests.

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The Dive Academy Blogspot

December 2nd, 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Manta in Lanta

We are holidaying in Koh Lanta at the moment and today we went out on our first day of diving on the trip. As we have for the past 5 years we were diving with Blue Planet and were happy when Laurent said we were going to the main dive sites in this area - Hin Muang and Hin Daeng, but weren’t too pleased when he said it was a 6.45am meet - meaning getting up at 5.45 to walk the dogs. Not even they were to happy to be walking at that time - they are on holiday after all as well!!

The boat left at 7am and most people had a sleep on the way. We got to Hin Maung first after the 4 hour boat journey - it’s a long way and not by speedboat!! Viz was only about 7-10 metres, but with lots of fish and the possibility of a Manta that was enough. It was just nice to be diving somewhere different and to see different fish to usual. The first dive was good but pretty uneventful with the rumour of somebody seeing a Manta but nothing confirmed.

Then after a quick hour on the surface we dropped down at Hin Daeng, with a message from another boat saying there were two Mantas around. Again viz was only about 7-10 metres, but again with lots of fish and lots of colour the viz was enough. After swimming around for about 10-15 minutes and frantically looking for the Manta’s, I caught a very quick glimpse of a big dark object swimming away. Knowing there was a Manta around we stayed put for a couple of minutes before seeing a 4 metre Manta swimming quickly below us at about 30 metres. I managed to get a quick shot but not a brilliant one. Knowing the Manta’s were in this area most of the dive groups stayed around, and watching one group start swimming and pointing at the same time I guessed they had seen one. And sure enough there was a big Manta Ray about 6 metres tip to tip, just disappearing over a ridge. We managed to get within a couple of metres of it before it turned and quickly disappeared. Again I managed to get a few photos but none that are likely to win any awards!! But to be honest I’m not too bothered about the photos, seeing Manta Ray’s again made it worth while getting out of bed while it was still dark!!

picture-2

via The Dive Academy Blogspot.

The Dive Academy Blogspot.

Tags: manta rays, thailand
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Bring a Manta Home for the Holidays

November 19th, 2009

Uniquely hand painted manta rays on T-shirts by acclaimed artist Lynn Jaye are available for purchase online from the Manta Network store. These individually hand painted manta T-shirts will also be personally signed by the artist. A portion of the proceeds benefits manta research.

EXPANDED ONLINE MANTA SHOPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

We have added many new items for this year’s holiday gift giving. Choose from a wide array of embroiled items, manta videos and fine art T-shirts and canvases by aclaimed artist Lynn Jaye.

save-the-manta-painting
Troy Hotard’s fine art manta painting is also available as an original or giclee print.

VISIT THE MANTA STORE

Posted in Manta Network | 1 Comment »

October 30th, 2009

DEMA Exhibition
Orlando, Florida
Booth #367
Nov. 4-7, 2009
Join the Manta Network in Orlando Florida at the 2009 Diving Equipment & Marketing Association’s annual trade show. Learn about our recent efforts to help protect manta and mobula rays worldwide.

Ocean Presence Technologies will also be presenting its underwater live video cameras. These cameras are being deployed around the world to study marine life and for ocean education. Their new high-definition camera will be announced at the show.

Uniquely hand painted manta rays on T-shirts by acclaimed artist Lynn Jaye are available for purchase in the Manta Network booth. These individually hand painted manta T-shirts will also be personally signed by the artist. A portion of the proceeds benefits manta research.

EXPANDED ONLINE MANTA SHOPPING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

We have added many new items for this year’s holiday gift giving. Choose from a wide array of embroiled items, manta videos and fine art T-shirts and canvases by aclaimed artist Lynn Jaye. Troy Hotard’s fine art manta painting is also available as an original or giclee print.

VISIT THE MANTA STORE

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Tuesday on the Animal Planet

September 28th, 2009

mating_mantas WATCH: Weird, True and Freaky –Bizarre Births (30 minutes)

Sep 29, 9:30 pm EST (6:30 pm PST) and again at 11:30 pm EST (8:30 pm PST)

Disturbing deliveries, gruesome newborns, and slithering killer infants. Strange babies born to strange moms in the strangest ways. Counting down the animal kingdom’s most bizarre births.

In this new program, the birth of manta rays will be discussed. You may even catch a glimpse of The Manta Network’s Executive Director, Robert Aston.

To help save the manta rays, visit: Save-the-Mantas.org