Feb 25, 2014 5:30 AM

Gallery: Photos: A Sanctuary for Enormous, Majestic Manta Rays

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Tourism
Indonesia, recognizing that mantas are iconic marine creatures with incredible tourism potential value, just declared the world's biggest manta sanctuary at 2.3 million square miles.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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2-ShawnHeinrichs-20131123-172220--B4V0807-Edit
Reef manta rays form a feeding train in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Tourism
A tourist swims with manta rays near Manta Ridge, Raja Ampat.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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This oceanic manta ray battled for its life for an hour before being speared and dragged up to a hunting boat in Lamakera, Indonesia.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Fishery
Dead oceanic manta ray strapped to the deck of a hunting boat in Lamakera, Indonesia.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Fishery
Young boy looks down sadly at a dead baby reef manta ray. With many local populations depleted, fishermen have begun targeting even baby manta rays.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Fishery
Fisherman hoists the body of a baby manta ray.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Fishery
A Singapore store owner offers a manta gill for sale.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Tourism
Dive tourists in Nusa Penda, Bali watch in awe as a manta dances before them.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
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Indonesia Manta Tourism
A baby manta ray swims in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

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