Gary Rose, a plastic surgeon, dive professional and researcher in marine microorganisms and large ocean apex predators, takes us on a delightful jaunt to Costa Rica to dive with giant mantas. He shares glimpses of the experience both above and below the waves.
Tucked behind rocks at 90 feet, my fellow divers and I were getting restless hoping for a visit from hammerheads or one of the resident tiger sharks, neither of which were cooperating. The dive master motioned for the group to follow, as he headed to another cleaning station and perhaps better luck. As I turned to make sure the videographer to my right got the signal, I saw him kicking in the opposite direction to deeper water.
Costa Rica hosts an active industry for collection activities on marine ornamental reef fish for the international aquarium fish trade. Little is known about the effects of collection activities on target species in Costa Rica. However, research elsewhere gives reason for concern about collecting activity rainbow wrasse (Thalassoma lucasanum) is an important species in this fishery.
