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Manta ray protection policy welcomed
The Indonesian governmentâs announcement that manta rays within the archipelagoâs 5
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T
he Indonesian government's announcement that manta rays within the archipelago's 5.8 million square kilometers of ocean would receive protected status has been warmly received by local diving businesses.
'We are really happy to hear that [mantas will be protected]. It means that all kinds of manta ray fishing will be banned. Automatically, the sea creatures will be here for our grandchildren to enjoy,' said Gede Suka, chairman of Lembongan Marine Association, an association of diving businesses in the Nusa Penida area in Bali.
Suka was responding to the recent government decision to protect manta rays through Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry Decree No. 4/2014 on the protection of manta rays in Indonesia.
'Manta rays are a beautiful species and an important asset for environmentally friendly marine tourism in Nusa Penida, especially for diving,' Suka said.
Nusa Penida's waters are a favorite spot for divers from all over the world, with manta rays and mola mola sunfish as the main attractions.
