GIANT RAYS OF HOPE

Manta rays become the stars of successful conservation work.

Newman spotlights Peruvian marine scientist Kerstin Forsberg, who was struck by the number of turtles turning up dead or injured after they became tangled in fishing nets. Sea turtles are a crucial part of the ecosystem—something that many didn’t realize. Eager to spread awareness among young people, in 2009 she helped create the Marine Educators Network of Northern Perú. When another scientist, Andrea Marshall, needed help tracking down a lost tag that had been attached to a manta ray swimming in the waters near northern Peru, Forsberg stepped in to assist. She soon realized the rays could be a compelling way to encourage interest in ocean conservation—and to empower locals to take “starring roles” when it came to activism. Her organization, Planeta Océano, led expeditions where people could swim with the gentle giants, organized classroom lessons and community-wide celebrations of the rays, and asked fishers to let them know when they spotted mantas. Forsberg worked with fishers to help them avoid manta bycatch and drafted a national protection policy, which was eventually passed. Newman ably explains the concept of flagship species—animals that “grab people’s attention and make them care about protecting the environment.” Her feel-good account includes photos and quotations from local fishers and young people, as well as plenty of information about the rays themselves.

Good news about a marine marvel.