World Manta Day
September 17
About World Manta Day
World Manta Day takes place every year on 17 September, raising awareness of manta and devil rays and the mounting threats they face in the world’s oceans. Established by the Manta Trust, the day brings together conservationists, divers, scientists, and ocean lovers to celebrate these gentle giants and push for stronger protection. In 2026, World Manta Day falls on Thursday, 17 September.
What is World Manta Day?
World Manta Day is an annual conservation observance dedicated to manta rays and their close relatives, the devil rays. It was created by the Manta Trust, a UK-registered charity devoted to manta and devil ray research and protection, and is supported by dozens of marine organisations worldwide, including the Marine Megafauna Foundation. The day combines education, fundraising, and advocacy, with a different theme chosen each year to focus attention on a particular conservation issue. It is aimed at anyone who cares about the ocean, from school children to policymakers, and uses the hashtag #WorldMantaDay to drive global engagement.
When is World Manta Day?
World Manta Day is held on 17 September every year. In 2026 it falls on Thursday, 17 September. The date is fixed and does not move from year to year, so it always lands on the same calendar day regardless of where it falls in the week. The observance is marked internationally, with events organised by dive centres, aquariums, conservation charities, and research groups across the globe.
Why World Manta Day Matters
Manta rays are among the most charismatic animals in the sea, yet they are in serious trouble. The giant or oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, while the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) is listed as Vulnerable. According to the IUCN, reef manta numbers have fallen by roughly 30 to 49 per cent over about three generations. Mantas reproduce extremely slowly, maturing late and giving birth to a single pup only every few years after a gestation of over a year, which makes recovering from population losses painfully slow.
The biggest threats come from targeted and accidental fishing. Mantas are killed for their meat and, above all, for their gill plates, which are traded for use in some traditional medicines despite having no proven medical benefit. World Manta Day matters because raising public awareness drives the policy changes, sustainable tourism practices, and research funding needed to give these animals a fighting chance.
How to Get Involved in World Manta Day
There are plenty of ways to take part, whether you live by the coast or hundreds of miles inland:
- Join an online talk – The Manta Trust runs free educational webinars and school sessions on World Manta Day, suitable for primary and secondary age groups, so you can learn from researchers directly.
- Donate to manta conservation – Supporting the Manta Trust, the Marine Megafauna Foundation, or a local marine charity helps fund tagging, research, and protection work.
- Share manta photos online – Post your own manta encounters or favourite facts using #WorldMantaDay to spread the word across social media.
- Submit identification photos – If you have ever photographed a manta while diving or snorkelling, you can submit the image to research databases, where unique belly spot patterns help scientists track individual animals.
- Choose responsible tourism – If you swim with mantas, pick operators that follow respectful guidelines, keep a safe distance, and never touch or chase the animals.
- Rethink your seafood – Reducing seafood consumption and choosing sustainably sourced options helps cut the bycatch and overfishing that harm mantas and the plankton-rich ecosystems they depend on.
- Host an event – Schools, dive clubs, and aquariums can run talks, quizzes, screenings, or fundraisers to mark the day and inspire others.
- Spread accurate facts – Correcting myths about manta rays, which are harmless filter feeders with no sting, helps replace fear with appreciation.
History of World Manta Day
World Manta Day was launched in 2020 by the Manta Trust, the leading charity focused exclusively on manta and devil ray conservation. The organisation chose 17 September as a dedicated date to unite the global community of researchers, dive operators, and supporters who had long worked separately on manta protection. The aim was simple: create a single annual rallying point to celebrate these animals and to highlight the dangers they face.
Since its first observance, the day has grown into an international campaign supported by a wide coalition of conservation bodies. Each year a new theme guides the messaging, focusing attention on areas such as education, tourism, the climate crisis, and the international trade that drives manta exploitation. The 2025 edition was themed “The Power of Protection”, underlining how local and global action can help manta and devil rays not just survive but thrive.
The day builds on decades of scientific work. Manta rays were only formally recognised as comprising more than one species in 2009, and the giant manta became the first manta ray to be uplisted to Endangered on the IUCN Red List, reflecting growing evidence of decline. World Manta Day channels that research into public awareness, helping translate complex science into action that ordinary people can take.
Noteworthy Facts About World Manta Day
- World Manta Day was first held in 2020, founded by the UK-based Manta Trust.
- It is observed on 17 September every year as a fixed date.
- The giant manta ray is listed as Endangered, and the reef manta ray as Vulnerable, on the IUCN Red List.
- Oceanic mantas can have a wingspan of more than seven metres, making them the largest rays in the sea.
- Manta rays have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish species studied to date, and feed almost entirely on microscopic plankton.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Manta Day?
World Manta Day is an annual conservation observance, created by the Manta Trust, that celebrates manta and devil rays while raising awareness of the threats they face. It combines education, fundraising, and advocacy under the hashtag #WorldMantaDay.
When is World Manta Day in 2026?
World Manta Day is on Thursday, 17 September 2026. It falls on the same date every year.
Who founded World Manta Day?
World Manta Day was launched in 2020 by the Manta Trust, a UK-registered charity dedicated to manta and devil ray research and conservation, with support from many other marine organisations.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing World Manta Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #WorldMantaDay and #WorldMantaDay2026 on social media. The more people who know about World Manta Day, the bigger the impact for these endangered ocean giants.
Related Awareness Days
- World Oceans Day – A global celebration of the ocean and a call to protect the marine habitats mantas depend on.
- World Sea Turtle Day – Another day spotlighting a much-loved but threatened marine species in need of protection.
- Shark Awareness Day – Focused on sharks, the manta’s cartilaginous cousins, and the conservation challenges they share.
Links
Featured image: Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash.
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