Copy of Manta with plastic in Indonesia - Elitza Germanov, Marine Megafauna Foundation
Copy of Manta with plastic in Indonesia - Elitza Germanov, Marine Megafauna Foundation

Microplastics on the menu of manta rays and whale sharks

Embargoed until: Publicly released:
Plastic pollution has a tremendous impact on marine life – and reef manta rays and whale sharks are not spared from it. These large filter-feeders swallow hundreds to thousands of cubic meters of plankton-filled water every day, and with it, tiny plastic pieces from broken down carrier bags and single-use packaging, a new study has found.

Journal/conference: Frontiers in Marine Science

Link to research (DOI): 10.3389/fmars.2019.00679

Organisation/s: Murdoch University

Funder: EG is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award and Murdoch International Top Up (32608315), supported her doctoral studies; CR was supported by two private trusts, Aqua- Firma and Waterlust; Ocean Park Conservation Foundation (FH04_1516) has funded a large portion of the fieldwork, logistics, and capacity building programs; Foundation Fortuna supported field work, laboratory analysis, logistics, and capacity building programs; IdeaWild donated field sampling equipment; Mantahari Oceancare funded manta ray research capacity building programs; PADI Foundation (14668) supported field work and logistics; and private donors, supported field work and logistics. This research was generously supported by R. Horner and private donors; and through in-kind donations by Arenui Boutique Liveaboard, Current Junkies Liveaboard, Happy Days yacht, Scuba Junkie Komodo, Manta Rhei Dive Center, and Wunderpus Liveaboard.

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  • Photo identification of manta in Indonesia
    Photo identification of manta in Indonesia

    Photo identification of manta in Indonesia

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    Attribution: Elitza Germanov

    Permission category: © - Only use with this story

    Last modified: 20 Nov 2019 12:22am

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