Ray of Hope for the Mantas

Kate M. Serrano

Would you kill a giant manta ray? You’re answer might be a big no yet unknown to some, manta rays are facing extinction. Manta rays are found in temperate, subtropical and tropical waters, single or in groups. Manta gills are highly valued in Chinese traditional medicine as they are used for trapping food particles when filter-feeding. What used to be known as limited scale fishery has become an expanding commercialized fishery in some countries thus dramatically increasing the number of mantas caught each year. And due to their slow growth and slow reproductive rate (one pup every 2 to 5 years), manta rays have a limited capacity to recover from overfishing; a decline in their population has been observed. Manta rays though are protected in some countries like the Philippines, Mexico, Ecuador, Hawaii, Western Australia, and New Zealand but they may migrate into unprotected waters of other countries.

Governments from the countries listed have laws in place that make harming or killing a manta ray illegal. This is not only for conservation but also for the amount of revenue that tourists pay to be in the waters with them. So what can we do to help?  We expose these manta rays to danger through the chemicals and toxins that enter the water. They have very thin mucus membranes that protect them, so it is important that we keep the waters clean. There are also cause-oriented groups all over the world that offer numerous information online we can reach out to. Learn more and inform others about the urgent need to protect manta rays. Or if you are brave enough, dive with a manta ray! Dive ecotourism is a more sustainable economic alternative to fishing. Time is ticking. We must act before it’s too late. 

Save our Planet

By: Felicitas Binan

Every time we hear the term “global warming” we cannot help but  feel alarmed and  disturbed about the carbon footprint of  anything and everything around us. First and foremost concern that came into our mind is the future of our children, grandchildren and the future generation to come. Where will they be if our earth will be devoid of fresh water to drink, pure air to breathe, rivers and oceans and perpetual land to dwell in. There is still hope for a brighter outlook if all the citizens of this world will embrace the preservation of the earth and its species.

Focus ourselves on latest news and current events in what is happening around us, particularly on ecosystem. If you have extra time, take a walk in public parks, animal sanctuaries and nearby national parks. We can help conserve indigenous wealth through science, developed technology and simply by word of mouth. We can achieve this through tasking and environmentally friendly adaptations within our everyday living.

Initiating a green perspective in our own means we can contribute to a healthier future within our own homes by conserving power and water, and unplugging unused appliances. Keep air passages open to let fresh air circulate within your home instead of using your air conditioning. Drive less, waste less, and you will be on your way of reducing your carbon footprint significantly.

Lastly we can connect with different associations within our community that focus on earth and its preservation. Join tree planting drives, groups that focus on picking up litter, carpooling, and a lot more. We need to find all the means to become productive and concerned citizens of this planet, and truly promote and look for best care.

We must focus on the preservation of  the earth.