munkiana
A FIELD JOURNAL
The Mobula munkiana, affectionately known as Munk’s devil ray, was first described in 1987 by the Italian ecologist Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara and named for his scientific mentor and world renown oceanographer, Walter Munk. This short documentary by Ben Meissner was funded by the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans. It highlights the research and conservation efforts of Marta Diaz Palacios, a PhD Candidate at Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas in La Paz. For the past 6 years, her research has focused on the ecology and vulnerability of Munk’s devil ray in the Gulf of Mexico, where she works with artisanal fishermen, governmental agencies, and local community members to turn the tide for this emblematic species. Marta is co-founder of Mobula Conservation, a female research group; scientific advisor for documentary production with BBC and National Geographic; and a Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans Fellow.
Testimonial
The Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans has played a pivotal role in my professional development. During my Ph.D., the foundation provided essential funding that supported the development of field activities, enabling us to acoustically tag and monitor aggregations of Mobula munkiana in Baja California Sur, Mexico. They also assisted in organizing and collecting data during two field campaigns conducted throughout the M. munkiana aggregation season, and sponsored an educational outreach program that reached more than 175 children in rural communities across the state, fostering awareness about ocean conservation. Additionally, the foundation helped establish connections with international organizations such as The Explorers Club and the Marine Technology Society. Their support extended to the production of a documentary highlighting M. munkiana and the ongoing research efforts in the region, amplifying both the scientific and conservation impact of our work.
Thanks to this invaluable support, I was able to complete my Ph.D. cum laude and publish my research in prestigious international scientific journals, as well as in outreach platforms such as National Geographic, Oceanographic Magazine, and other globally recognized outlets. The foundation’s encouragement and collaboration truly propelled my research career, enabling me to transition smoothly into the professional world and join renowned international organizations such as the IUCN, where I continue to advance ocean conservation and research efforts at a global scale.
Martha D. Palacios, Ph.D
How You Can Help
By making a donation today, your generous contribution will support the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans in its efforts to research and protect the vulnerable Mobula munkiana species and continue Walter’s legacy of daring exploration and discovery. Please consider sponsoring one of the areas listed below.
