We chatted with Diana Pazmiño at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito about her work and the vital role citizen scientists play in helping to improve our understanding of the rays of Galapagos.
Communications Manager (Paternity Cover)
What is the aim of the project?
Our overarching goal is to understand the population dynamics and connectivity of rays and manta rays within Galapagos and across the Eastern Tropical Pacific to conduct comprehensive species and habitat conservation assessments for these understudied species in Galapagos.
What are some of the challenges facing rays in Galapagos?
The Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) offers important refuge and habitats for at least 50 species of sharks and rays, including mangrove lagoons, oceanic islets and deep-water ecosystems. However, many elasmobranchs (a subclass of cartilaginous fish species that include sharks and rays) found in coastal Galapagos are data deficient, especially rays, meaning their population status and conservation needs are poorly understood.
The GMR is also a nature-based tourism hotspot and is subject to fishing practices, putting pressure on critical habitats such as nursery grounds. All of this creates further challenges for effective conservation management by the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD). It is therefore essential to improve our scientific understanding of little-studied elasmobranch populations, including where they give birth and how connected the populations are between Islands, to help prioritise and target management efforts.
Why should people consider getting involved in citizen science projects?
I believe science is a whole-village job. Whilst researchers may have deep technical knowledge about certain species and ecosystems, they lack, in many cases, the local perspectives and knowledge, as well as the logistical capacity to achieve long-term goals promptly.
In this regard, citizens can contribute in many ways, including but not limited to: (1) contributing with their own local knowledge about species behavior and trends as well as their own ideas and perspectives, (2) gathering information and data that researchers alone could not achieve, especially on highly biodiverse areas and/or remote areas of difficult access, (3) empowering the whole community to actively engage with science and conservation efforts without the need of formal training.
In summary, citizen science makes science more accessible and democratic. It strengthens the link between people and their surrounding environment and contributes to the generation of knowledge.
Support scientists in developing conservation strategies for rays in Galapagos and the Eastern Tropical Pacific by reporting your sightings of this unique group of species.
What impact are citizen scientists having on the conservation of rays in Galapagos?
In the past few years, we have incorporated citizen science into our methods to monitor different ray species. To do this, we ran a series of workshops to discuss the importance of PhotoID (photo identification) as a tool to support ray science in Galapagos.
We received overwhelming demonstrations of interest and support, and have since received information continuously from the community. This is a long-term endeavour and therefore, the results of such efforts are still to be analysed. However, we expect to increase the database of records and PhotoID for at least two species or rays, and to produce updated distribution maps for each in the near future.
How does understanding the movement patterns of rays help with their conservation?
Knowing how rays and manta rays move is essential to protecting them. These types of studies can reveal where, when and how they use different habitats, which helps managers design effective protection measures. This is particularly important for a group as diverse as rays, which includes a wide range of species, from small sting rays that spend most of their time buried in the sand of a protected bay, to a giant manta ray capable of travelling long distances while feeding on the water column.
Understanding the conservation needs for species with different ecologies is crucial. For those that migrate long distances (even between countries), this information helps ensure that marine protected areas are big enough and connected in the right ways. And for those that do not move as much, understanding the level of connectivity and vulnerability of each population is critical to prioritise conservation efforts. Movement studies also show where rays encounter fishing gear, boats and tourists, so rules can be created to keep them safe.
What inspired you to focus your research on rays?
My interest in rays began when I was a child. I have always been fascinated by sharks and rays, but especially rays because of their elegance and the role they play in marine ecosystems. The first time I swam with a group of golden cownose rays, I was completely impressed by how effortless they seemed to move in the water.
When I completed my academic degree and returned to the Galapagos Islands as a professor and researcher at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, it shocked me how little we know about these beautiful creatures, and I decided to start a project to improve our understanding of them, but also to engage the local community in their protection.
Planning a trip to Galapagos? Being prepared and informed will help you get the most out of your visit whilst ensuring that you keep your impact to a minimum.
