Rays put on feeding display

A magnificent display of effortless elegance was put on by three feeding manta rays at Reddell Beach in Broome over the Easter long weekend.

The stunning images were captured by environmentalist and photographer Kandy Curran.

Filter feeding manta rays provided an unforgettable three hour show off Broome’s coast.

Two were black all over with white markings underneath, while one had the more commonly occurring white underside.

The white manta ray performed continuous backward, mid-water somersaults close to the rocks as the tide peaked, which experts believe is a common feeding technique when there is a high density of food.

The flashing of light on the white belly is believed to attract prey.

The two all-black manta rays joined in the feeding frenzy, surging through the water using their wide, wing-like pectoral fins to propel them, while the fleshy-looking flaps on either side of their heads, funnelled the food into their mouths.

Manta Ray researcher Frazer McGregor, who heads a Murdoch University Research Station in Coral Bay, confirmed from photographs that the three were coastal or reef manta ray, which can grow up to 4m from wingtip to wingtip.

Mr McGregor said sightings of manta ray aggregations at this time of year in Roebuck Bay were likely to be associated with coral spawning events along the coast, which happen around each of the autumn full moons and in turn led to large swarms of small crustaceans such as sergestid shrimp — a favourite prey of manta rays.

Manta rays were also sighted at Cable Beach and Gantheaume Point over Easter.

Mr McGregor said the presence of manta rays was a good indicator of the overall health of coastal waters and it was important to limit fertiliser run-off from gardens into the waters of Roebuck Bay. Swimmers and boaters should not get too close to the rays.

“If you are in the water with a manta ray, keep three-to-four metres away and if boating try and resist the temptation to get closer than 10 or 20 metres as it may affect what they are doing,” Mr McGregor said.

If you want to know more about gardening to keep fish stocks and surrounding waters in great shape, then visit the NW Expo on May 4 and 5, to pick up free native plants from the Broome Shire and to hear tips from local gardening guru Phil Docherty. For more, visit www.roebuckbay.org.au.