- DISCOVERY Yacht Radiance
Oceanic Manta Ray Surveys in Fiji’s Northern Lau Group
- August 15 – 21, 2026
- Northern Lau Group, Fiji
Project Overview
Oceanic manta rays travel vast distances across the South Pacific, moving between habitats and across national boundaries. Understanding these movements requires researchers throughout the region to share knowledge, connect observations and coordinate surveys across the species’ range.
This expedition brought SeaKeepers South Pacific, Manta Project Fiji and Manta Watch NZ together aboard DISCOVERY Yacht Radiance for their first joint research expedition. The collaboration aimed to extend existing manta research into Fiji’s remote northern Lau Group and begin building a clearer picture of how oceanic manta rays may use this part of the Pacific.
The expedition focused on Duff Reef and the Bay of Islands in Vanua Balavu, two locations where the research teams had not previously conducted manta surveys.
Application
Satellite tracking has revealed connections between New Zealand and the tropical South Pacific, including a documented journey by an oceanic manta ray from New Zealand to Fiji, followed by the animal’s return to New Zealand waters the following summer. Tracking has also recorded exceptionally deep dives, demonstrating how much of these animals’ lives takes place beyond the locations where they are typically encountered.
Building a better understanding of manta movements and the habitats they rely upon can help researchers identify important migration routes and areas where the animals may be vulnerable. This is particularly important because manta and devil rays face threats from targeted fisheries and accidental capture as bycatch.
The findings may also contribute to broader research into the connected habitats used by other migratory marine species throughout the South Pacific.
Expedition Summary
From August 15–21, 2026, SeaKeepers South Pacific joined the owners of Radiance on a generously donated a week aboard their vessel and alongside researchers from Manta Project Fiji and Manta Watch NZ.
Throughout the week, the teams conducted extensive drone surveys covering several kilometres around Duff Reef and the Bay of Islands. In-water surveys at both locations complemented the aerial work and allowed researchers to examine the marine environment beneath the surface.
Although no manta rays were encountered during the expedition, the survey effort still produced valuable scientific information. Recording where and when searches took place, together with the conditions and level of effort involved, provides an important reference for future expeditions. The results do not establish that mantas are absent from the area but contribute to the baseline information needed to guide further surveys and interpret future observations.
The team also collected observations of the reef system at Duff Reef. These observations will be shared with relevant researchers to support further investigation into the reef’s health, extending the scientific value of the expedition beyond its original manta focus.
By providing accommodation, transportation and a working platform in a remote area, Radiance enabled both research teams to reach waters that would otherwise have been difficult to access. The expedition also gave the vessel’s owners a firsthand opportunity to experience exploratory science, from the preparation and long hours of surveying to the questions and future research priorities that emerged.
This expedition established a foundation for continued collaboration among SeaKeepers South Pacific, Manta Project Fiji, Manta Watch NZ and Radiance. Further surveys will help build upon the baseline information collected and support a more connected regional approach to understanding and protecting oceanic manta rays.
Location
Duff Reef and the Bay of Islands, Vanua Balavu, Northern Lau Group, Fiji
Duration of Project
May-October
Leadership
Research Team
Luke Gordon- Manta Project Fiji
Lydia Green- Manta Watch NZ
Partner Sites
Photo Gallery
