May 2024

Nuno is the Fisheries and Policy Assistant Manager for the Manta Trust and he has answered all of our questions about his background, the challenges he has faced in the conservation field, and what inspired him to get involved in manta ray conservation…

1. How did you come to be involved with this work?

I am a new team member working as Fisheries and Policy Assistant Manager. This translates to working mostly backstage in a number of different projects and tasks, using science and policy to engage with decision-makers and all kinds or relevant stakeholders - to try to create a safer world for manta and devil rays.

I have been working in marine conservation for more than 15 years, doing similar work but mostly with seabirds. I am based in SW Portugal, and working for healthier Oceans was always the focus of my career. So, when the opportunity arose to work for the Manta Trust doing what I love best, I didn´t think twice – maybe inspired by my 4-year old daughter, who loves all rays.

2. Tell us about your first manta or devil ray encounter.

OK. Disclose time – I have never seen a manta or devil ray (I know, it’s unheard of). Most of my previous work was in seabird conservation, responsible fisheries and land-based nature tourism, so manta and devil rays only realy made an entrance in my life a few months ago – before that only in documentaries and dreams. For my work at the Manta Trust am not required to dive with manta/devil rays. That being said, I do spend a lot of time day-dreaming about them, and actually being in water with them is definitively one of my main goals for the near future.

3. What legacy would you like to leave in your field of research/conservation?

I think one day not far from now, the world will look back at things like targeted catches of mobulid rays and overfishing it now looks back to things like whaling, for instance – a general practice in the past, but something that should not, by no means, excuses or loopholes, be part of the future – and to us as the generation with the responsibility to address it firmly.

My work is a grain of sand in the big picture, but it makes me feel that I am on track with what I came here to do on this strange world, and I am proud and privileged to be doing so for manta and devil rays. In marine conservation, threats are so overwhelming, you need to treasure the changes you here able to contribute too. It drives you forward.

4. What is the most challenging part of your work?

To deal with the dark side of the force. In my work I deal almost exclusively with the threats. I never got to the point where I normalise seeing pictures of dead mantas and reports of illegal activities – it gets to me. Even harder than that is to know and understand that fishers that catch them are not criminals. In most cases, and especially in artisanal fisheries in developing countries, they are just doing what they know and culturally and in practice, don´t differentiate between a mobulid and another type of fish. It’s a job you do with mixed feelings, an open mind and a sense of mission, to overcome all this.

Another challenge is to stay focused. It’s easy to get submerged by your projects, deadlines, emails etc. So every day before I start working, with my computer in front of me, I try to close my eyes for a minute and think of the rays. It helps me to remind myself of why we do what we do.

5. What is the most surprising thing you have learnt about manta/devil rays?

Their ability to connect and the way they show different personalities. Lots of divers say it, like how with some of the more curious ones, a sighting frequently turns into an encounter. Just an hour ago I was sent this picture of a partner project tagging a devil ray, and it was looking at the scientist straight in the eye. Manta rays have the largest brain-to-body ratio of all fish, and we are far from understanding all that that means. That is the other thing that fascinates me about mobulids – how much we still don´t know about them.

6. If you could ask people to do one thing to help - what would it be?

Don´t lose heart. There is too much information available to us, many times out of context, and too many of us that care re feeling frustrated and lost with the state of the world biodiversity. Many times the light at the end of the tunnel seems to fade, but that is no excuse to stop believing in change, or to take yourself out of the equation by blocking your feelings and consequently your actions towards a better future. So keep going and inspire others. A seconds thing - mind what you eat. The way you eat is probably the most impactful way you can influence and mitigate your environmental footprint. If you eat fish, ask yourself – what species it is, where was it caught, with what gear type. Learn how you can have a low-impact, primarily plant-based diet that suits you.