Bruce Balan and Alene D. Rice of the Cross 46’ Trimaran “Migration” have been working with the Pacific Manta Research Group to create a citizen science project for sailors in Mexico.

Published 3 years ago, updated 7 months ago

Bruce Balan and Alene D. Rice of the Cross 46’ Trimaran “Migration” have been working with the Pacific Manta Research Group to create a citizen science project for sailors in Mexico.

They are keen to let as many cruisers know about the project as possible and told Noonsite:

“After spending 17 weeks diving with oceanic manta rays at the Islas Revillagigedo over the past three years, we’ve completely fallen in love with these beautiful and curious fish. An 18-foot manta gracefully gliding inches away, staring directly at us with one of its big black eyes, is truly one of the most powerful and wondrous experiences we’ve ever had.

“Because mantas can be identified by the spots on their bellies, we began sending our photos to researchers who have been tracking the mantas of Mexico for decades. It occurred to us that hundreds of boats criss-crossing Mexican waters could provide a lot of citizen science research-eyes out in the real world.”

Working with the Pacific Manta Research Group, Bruce and Alene created a brochure that they hope will inform and inspire cruisers to keep an eye out for oceanic mantas and report any sightings. The data will be used by researchers to develop maps of the mantas’ migratory routes, and perhaps help create protocols to avoid ship strikes and protect their habitat.

The brochure contains all the relevant information and links.

If you are sailing through the Pacific waters of Mexico, please download the brochure. If you are not in Mexico but have friends sailing in that area, please share this project with them.

Related Links:

Portrait of a Cruiser: Alene D. Rice and Bruce Balan

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.

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