About
MantaMatcher is a conservation-focused, AI-driven platform built on the open-source Wildbook framework, developed in partnership with the Marine Megafauna Foundation and Conservation X Labs. It functions as a global visual database of manta ray encounters, leveraging computer vision algorithms — similar to facial recognition — to match the unique spot patterns on individual manta ray bellies, enabling researchers to track individuals across time and geography. The workflow is designed for broad public participation: users photograph a manta ray's belly, submit the image along with location and species data, and a local researcher verifies the submission before running the matching algorithm. The system returns ranked potential matches from the existing database, which researchers visually confirm to either link the sighting to a known individual or register a new manta profile. As of 2026, the platform hosts over 14,000 identified animals, nearly 50,000 reported sightings, contributions from 3,660 citizen scientists, and input from 234 researchers and volunteers worldwide. It supports bulk imports, encounter calendars, individual animal galleries, and project management tools for research teams. MantaMatcher is ideal for marine biologists, conservation organizations, dive operators, underwater photographers, and citizen scientists who want to contribute meaningful data to manta ray conservation. The platform is free to use and open source, making it accessible to researchers and community contributors globally.
Key Features
- AI Belly-Pattern Matching: Uses a computer-vision algorithm akin to facial recognition to match the unique spot patterns on manta ray bellies, identifying individuals within a database of 14,000+ catalogued animals.
- Citizen Science Submission Portal: Anyone can upload encounter photos or videos (from a device, Flickr, or Facebook), submit location and species data, and receive email updates as researchers process the sighting.
- Researcher Verification Workflow: Each submission is reviewed by a local marine biologist who validates species, location, and photo quality before the matching algorithm is run, ensuring high data integrity.
- Global Encounter & Individual Database: Maintains a searchable catalog of nearly 50,000 reported sightings and individual manta profiles, with encounter calendars, individual galleries, and sighting timelines.
- Bulk Import & Project Management Tools: Research teams can bulk-import encounter data, manage projects, and administer user roles — supporting large-scale field research operations.
Use Cases
- Marine biologists tracking individual manta ray movements and population sizes across multiple geographic regions over time.
- Scuba divers and underwater photographers contributing encounter data to global conservation research without needing scientific expertise.
- Dive operators and eco-tourism companies building local manta catalogs and contributing regional sighting data to the global database.
- University researchers and students conducting mark-recapture studies on manta ray populations using the platform's photo-ID and encounter data.
- Conservation organizations monitoring threatened manta ray populations and producing evidence-based reports for wildlife protection policies.
Pros
- Free & Open Source: Completely free to use for both citizen scientists and researchers, built on the open-source Wildbook platform with a public GitHub repository.
- Meaningful Conservation Impact: Directly contributes to global manta ray population research and protection efforts, with data used by leading institutions like the Marine Megafauna Foundation.
- Accessible to Non-Experts: Researcher verification means casual contributors don't need expertise — they just submit photos and scientists handle species identification and data validation.
- Large, Growing Database: With 14,000+ identified individuals and 49,000+ sightings, the platform offers rich longitudinal data for population studies and movement tracking.
Cons
- Narrow Species Focus: The platform is dedicated exclusively to manta rays (Mobula birostris and Mobula alfredi), limiting its utility for researchers working with other marine species.
- Dependent on Researcher Availability: Processing times vary by region — submissions require a local researcher to verify data before matching runs, which may cause delays in areas with fewer volunteers.
- Photo Quality Requirements: Effective matching requires clear underside (belly) photographs of manta rays, which can be difficult to capture for recreational divers without photography experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a scientist to submit a manta encounter?
No. MantaMatcher is designed for citizen scientists. You simply photograph the manta's belly, upload it with location and date details, and a local marine biologist will verify the information and run the matching algorithm on your behalf.
How does the manta ray matching algorithm work?
The algorithm analyzes the unique spot patterns on a manta ray's belly — analogous to a fingerprint — and compares them against all individuals in the database using computer vision, similar to facial recognition software. It returns a ranked list of potential matches for researcher review.
Is MantaMatcher free to use?
Yes, MantaMatcher is completely free for both individual users and research organizations. It is built on the open-source Wildbook platform and is maintained by Conservation X Labs in partnership with the Marine Megafauna Foundation.
Which manta ray species are covered?
MantaMatcher covers both recognized manta ray species: the oceanic (giant) manta ray (Mobula birostris) and the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi).
What happens after I submit my encounter?
You will receive email updates as your submission is processed. A local researcher first verifies your data, then runs the matching algorithm. You'll be notified whether your manta was matched to an existing individual in the database or added as a new animal profile.
