Mobula May
This Mobula season has been unforgettable. We ran six different expeditions of approximately one week each and encountered much more than just Mobulas. We encountered blue, humpback and fin whales, orcas and false orcas, bottlenose and common dolphins, and even olive ridley turtles!
The best by far has been sharing with an amazing group of people and being part of these marvelous encounters. Continue reading to hear more about our customer Kelsey Williamson’s first-time encounter with Mobulas.
Mobula rays are elasmobranchs belonging to the genus Mobula.There are ten species of Mobula rays, but eight of these are referred to as devil rays and two are referred to as manta rays. These rays are long-lived, slow-growing, and reproduce infrequently (k-selected species), characteristics that make them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. As filter feeders who follow oceanographic processes and their main prey, krill, Mobula rays are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world.*
In Baja California we can find five different species of Mobulas, all considered threatened under the IUCN categorization. The Mobula Conservation Project is a local organization focused on researching these species with the goal of developing effective solutions and connecting science with people. We are proud to partner with them and constantly share our sightings, as well as have some of their researchers join us on our expeditions. The main threat to this specie is a result of the fishing industry with an alarming number of net entanglements and bycatch. Approximately 13,000 Mobula rays are captured annually in global tuna purse-seine fisheries each year. Their long gestation periods, and slow-growing characteristics make these statistics highly concerning.
Tourism revolving around Mobula encounters such as snorkeling or scuba encounters generates approximately $140 million annually. If properly managed, ecotourism for Mobula rays can lead to better conservation and a more sustainable Mobula population as well as contribute to the well-being of locals. We make sure our encounters with Mobulas follow the recommendations of the Mobula Conservation Project and help grow awareness of these beautiful animals.
Kelsey Williamson is an ocean lover who visited us this month and has shared a bit of her experience of her Mobula Expedition.
1: Tell us a little about yourself! What made you come to visit Baja California?
I am an underwater photographer and am very passionate about the ocean. I usually swim with and take photos of the humpback whales in French Polynesia but it was one of my goals this year to swim with marine life I have never seen before. I had seen photos of the mass migration of Mobula rays many years ago and it was absolutely fascinating so I was determined to get a closer look for myself.
2: How was your experience on the Mobula Expedition?
It was amazing! We have two incredible days with the Mobula's and found them instantly and also got to experience seeing a vortex of Mobulas and we were all alone in the water with them which made the experience even better.
3: Was this your first time encountering Mobulas?
Yes, this was my first time to Baja and encountering Mobula rays. I have seen manta rays, spotted eagle rays, and sting rays before so I was very excited to see the Mobulas.
4: What did you learn about them during the expedition?
I learned so many things about Mobulas I never knew. I learned that depending on which direction they are swimming in the vortex means either they are mating or feeding. That they jump to communicate and they are a very social species. I learned about how to tell if they are male or female and that it has never been seen when the birth happens. Although they believe it happens when the pregnant females are jumping in the air. They feed off of plankton so during the moon cycles they are deeper during the full moon since the plankton are deeper due to more light and during new moon they are higher up.
5: What were your Top 3 memorable moments of the expedition?
Swimming with the vortex of Mobula rays was truly an incredible interaction and being the only ones there.
Getting to see orcas & mako sharks was also very memorable because I didn't expect to see them and it was also my first time ever seeing both of those species.
The last moment was honestly just getting to know the group and hanging out with everyone out on the boat. We had a great group that got along very well and just spending time out on the ocean looking for marine life is always so exciting to me.
6: What other animal would you like to encounter when visiting Baja?
I would love to see striped marlins feeding on the bait balls, whale sharks, and have an encounter with orcas in the water.
