**3. Manta ray tourism**

Charismatic species of marine wildlife become a driver for economic growth through marine wildlife tourism [17, 18]. Visitors want to experience seeing these animals first hand. Because of this reason, conserving marine species has benefits not just from non-consumptive uses, but also from the value of the ecosystem services provided by the species. According to [19]. Marine wildlife tourism is "any tourist activity with the primary purpose of watching, studying or enjoying marine wildlife". [20] gives a wider definition of marine wildlife tourism as activities that offer the acknowledgment of marine natural assets where the activities include fauna and flora whether marine or not. [21] describes marine wildlife tourism as offering different encounters between visitors and endangered species with a particular code of conduct where they are being cared for tourists' experiences. This statement is supported by [22] who emphasizes that the experience of wildlife tourism includes observation of the target animals in the wild, semi-captive, or captive environment. Marine wildlife tourism often provides encounter activities involving visitors which may be associated with limited seasons such as annual migration seasons and breeding times. Furthermore, [23] argues that, with some safeguards to protect the marine environment by limiting physical construction, this type of tourism can be sustainable. The role of government plays a significant role in providing guidelines and regulations requiring private operators to implement codes of practice for wildlife watching [20, 24]. In addition, marine wildlife tourism offers opportunities for education by encouraging awareness, knowledge, and attitudes about marine species and their environment as well creating an incentive for conservation to minimize human impacts [19, 20, 22, 24].

In the past decade, researchers have conducted studies on marine wildlife tourism, including manta ray tours, that showed a dramatic increase of global tourist numbers

#### *Tourism*

[1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25]. According to [4], manta ray tourism is a recreational activity to observe manta rays in the wild by diving, snorkeling, and observing from a boat (**Figure 3**).

Manta ray tourism has become popular with tourists because of the unique morphological characteristics and the behavior of these animals that are calm and friendly to humans. Manta ray encounters add an extra dimension to the visitor experience, in addition to their appreciation of conservation areas and related species. **Table 1** show global tourism hot spots for manta ray sightings.

#### **Figure 3.**

*A tourist swimming with a manta ray in Kofiau - Raja Ampat (photo by Abdy Hasan/Conservation International Indonesia).*


**177**

**Figure 4.**

*Manta Ray Tourism*

in the world [4].

**4.1 Nusa Penida**

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93924*

**4. Manta ray tourism in Indonesia**

and development of sustainable manta ray tourism.

and Marshall [26], Beale [27], and showed on **Figure 4**.

Manta rays are found in the waters of Indonesia throughout the year but easily found at certain periods when 90% of tourists have the opportunity to see this fish. This condition makes the waters very unique and interesting to visit. These locations have also become the hotspots for manta ray tourism in Indonesia and combined make the second-largest manta ray watching industry

In 2010, Indonesia adopted the National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks and Rays 2010—2014 as guidance and a documented commitment to implement sustainable management of sharks and rays in Indonesia. In alignment with policy at the national level, initiatives to protect the species at the regency level are also on the rise. Shark and ray protection and sustainable management policies are being formulated and implemented in several regions in Indonesia, mainly in areas where marine tourism is flourishing as a top tourist attraction and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Pioneered in 2010, the Raja Ampat Regent enacted a decree to establish Raja Ampat waters as a shark and ray sanctuary, the first of its kind in the Coral Triangle. In 2012, the decree was then upgraded to Raja Ampat Regency Regulation Number 9 of 2012, leaving no loopholes in the law. Following this, in 2013 the Regent of Manggarai Barat formulated a similar decree addressing the protection of whale sharks and manta rays in Manggarai Barat Regency. Furthermore, in 2014 the Indonesian government declared full protection for both manta ray species and declared the entire Archipelago as a Manta Ray Sanctuary to support conservation

There are a number of widely known manta ray sub-populations inlcuding in Raja Ampat, Komodo, and Nusa Penida based on studies conducted by Germanov

Nusa Penida is a sub district of Klungkung, Bali. Famous for its iconic landmarks, sandy beaches, and exceptionally high levels of marine biodiversity.

*Popular manta ray tourism in Indonesia (https://geology.com/world/indonesia-satellite-image.shtml).*

#### **Table 1.**

*Manta ray tourism worldwide (adopted from [13]).*

*Tourism*

(**Figure 3**).

**Figure 3.**

*International Indonesia).*

Australia Great Barrier Reef

Hawaii Kona & the Big Islands Indonesia Nusa Penida Island

Yucatan Micronesia Yap, Palau, Kiribati & Guam

Mozambique Tofo Beach

Philippines Manta Bowl, Donsol Thailand Koh Bon, Similan Islands

*Manta ray tourism worldwide (adopted from [13]).*

Ecuador Isla de la Plata Fiji Kadavu Island

Coral Bay

Komodo national Park Raja Ampat Maldives Throughout the Archipelago Mexico The Revillagigedo Islands

Isla Mujeres & Isla Holbox

USA Florida (Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary)

[1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25]. According to [4], manta ray tourism is a recreational activity to observe manta rays in the wild by diving, snorkeling, and observing from a boat

Manta ray tourism has become popular with tourists because of the unique morphological characteristics and the behavior of these animals that are calm and friendly to humans. Manta ray encounters add an extra dimension to the visitor experience, in addition to their appreciation of conservation areas and related

species. **Table 1** show global tourism hot spots for manta ray sightings.

*A tourist swimming with a manta ray in Kofiau - Raja Ampat (photo by Abdy Hasan/Conservation* 

**176**

**Table 1.**
