timlamanPhoto by @TimLaman. A Reef Manta Ray circles above me in the Raja Ampat Islands of Indonesia. The two species of large mantas that occur in Indonesia (Giant and Reef Mantas) were both being heavily fished for the traditional medicine market mostly in China, but a study found that they had much greater economic value for their tourism potential in the long term. 
This led the Indonesian government to enact a complete ban on Manta fishing in the entire country in 2014 — A great victory for Manta conservation! Now more and more divers and snorkelers will get a chance to experience seeing this amazing fish in the wild.
By: natgeo
