Every year, in August, September, and October, hundreds of Butterfly Rays (mantelinas) gather on the coast of Arona to reproduce, a unique event in the coastal waters of the Canary Islands, which has led the Environmental Department of the Arona Council to launch a campaign with marine biologists in Los Cristianos educating people about this endangered species.
The mantelina is one of the most well-known ray species in the world. They belong to the family of Gymnuridae. This marine species has a wide distribution in tropical waters and warm regions of the Atlantic, but, above all, it is known for its presence in the Canary Islands.
The council is organising informative sessions on the coast within the "Entre mantelinas" Project, whose main objective is to publicize the presence of butterfly rays on the coast, help people to understand their value, and explain why they come so close to the coast, and why they are in danger of extinction.
Océano de Canarias, a team made up of marine biologists, held the first session on Thursday, 1st September, focusing mainly on Los Cristianos beach and Las Vistas beach, which will be run daily for the next three weeks.
During the sessions, information will be given to beach users about the habits, distribution, and reproduction of the rays, and why they move to our coastline at this time of year. A series of guidelines will also be given to approaching this species with their safety in mind as much as ours.
