Movement and residency patterns of reef manta rays Mobula alfredi in the AmIrante Islands, Seychelles

Summary: This study provides a detailed analysis of reef manta ray movements around the
AmIrante Islands using photo-identification and satellite tagging techniques. The results
indicate that M. alfredi exhibits strong site fidelity and frequent use of shallow reef habitats.
Seasonal variation in spatial use patterns was observed, suggesting environmental drivers
such as currents and food availability influence behaviour. These findings inform spatial
planning and underscore the importance of targeted management to conserve localized
populations of manta rays that are vulnerable to human disturbance and fishing pressure.

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