If you didn’t know we have a new face on the reef, you should sign up to get the latest news articles and special offers – the Manta Report newsletter. Here’s a special article from the latest edition, introducing NOLA, Yap’s newest resident Manta Ray.

Things might not look like a Manta Ray research laboratory around here, but behind the scenes the Yap Divers efforts work as a pillar supporting the government backed Manta Ray preservation program.

During Manta Fest 2012 we collected hundreds of gigabytes of photography and ran that through the Yap database analyzer, which is a hand sorting process of photo identification. Each clear full belly shot is cross-referenced with the hundred or so individually identified resident Manta Rays on file.

Identifying a new resident animal is a good sign that the Manta Ray population is growing and healthy.

Another key ingredient is the length of time the dive team has been working together on this project. The Yap Divers team sees these animals on a daily basis and two weeks ago a new face was in the water with markings that were not immediately familiar, this all started on the reef and was confirmed back in the office.

During the photography festival Judy Bennett from New Orleans got to name this Ray. That’s how the name NOLA came about.

Thanks Judy and congratulations on leaving a permanent mark on Yap with your camera.

How to sign up for the Manta Report newsletter

Lower right corner of the homepage…

To get special reports, upcoming events and important dates… as well as some good ole fashioned Bill Acker humor, sign up for the Manta Report Newsletter. It’s just one more thread to the new media that is being created here and where you’ll find special articles, media releases and Yap events that can help you decide when you to make your reservation.

To get involved use the new sign up form on the homepage, or send an email to global@mantaray.com and ask to receive the Manta Report.

It’s a monthly offering with unique articles and some special deals, your email address will not be used or given to any third party, a one click unsubscribe feature is in each issue – Spam-Free distribution using Constant Contact.