Janis and April joined MMF from Udayana University to support our research project on the microplastics found in and around the manta ray’s feeding ground in Nusa Penida. Read on to hear about their findings…

Plastic pollution has a tremendous impact on marine life – and reef manta rays and whale sharks are not spared from it. These large filter-feeders swallow hundreds to thousands of cubic meters of plankton-filled water every day, and with it, tiny plastic pieces from broken down carrier bags and single-use packaging, a new study has found.

Janis Argeswara and Raka Wulandari two of our interns in Nusa Lembongan, Bali give a very interesting insight into the day-to-day activities they were involved in at the Marine Megafauna Foundation.

Plastic pollution has recently gained increasing attention for its effects on marine mammals, fish and birds. However, it is still not fully understood to what extent small pieces of plastic, known as microplastics, impact marine life and ecosystems.