Mobula Ray Baitballs - Misool

Hey folks,

I just received an update from Marit at Misool Eco Resort in Raja Ampat. Looks like this year the anchovy shoals have arrived in full force. Feeding on them are squadrons of Mubula Rays, pelagic fish and sharks. I was there last year during this season and what I witnessed rivaled the baitballs of Cocos and Sardine Run. Below is an update from Marit and a quick video I shot of some of the hunting action.

From Marit:

"September sees the annual migration of anchovies north from the Banda sea to Misool in southern Raja Ampat. This year has been a bumper season with huge numbers schooling on the reefs all  around Misool Eco Resort. Since the inception of MER’s no take zone, none of the anchovy fishing boats are around. Good news for divers. The anchovies don’t come alone. Schooling Mobula rays of up to 50 individuals round up the anchovies into bait balls then storm in for the attack. Spanish mackerel, giant travelies, schools of jacks, tunas and sharks are all there for the feast.

Swimming out from the wall, divers instantly are surrounded by the pulsating mass of fishes, sometimes so thick that you lose sight of the reef just feet away. It’s a mesmerising sight with so many fish moving in unison, alternatively flashing on and off as they catch the light each time they turn. The action goes on well into the new year as the mobula and hunting fish feast on their abundant prey."

Very cool, Shawn! Looks like Sept. may be the call for R4 rather than waiting for Dec...

Phil

We were there during the first trip for this season. I was so amazing to see the action. We will never forget!

THANKS FOR SHARING

Very cool Shawn, I was surprised by how fast those guys can move when they want to.

Cheers,

Steve

Superb video.

Just got back from Raja and thanks for reminding me. I know exactly what you mean.

On one of the dives, we had a huge school of big jacks suddenly come zooming through, passing me by then turning and the whole school zoomed by me on the way out. Amazing experience. On the same dive, we were enjoyed the zillions of silversides everywhere and mobulas showed up and did multiple passes coming through. I thought the party was over for the moment and i was getting low on air. I was literally only about 3 feet off the reef just looking at the reef and the silversides around me. Suddenly, in an instant, the silversides parted and zoom, a mobula raced up from below, zooming between me and the reef, then carved over and back down into the depths. He was going so fast I only had a split second for the silversides to part and he flashed into my view and then raced away.