Dr Annie Murray

Starting my underwater career as a SCUBA Instructor, I was lucky enough to work in and explore the marine world which was when I discovered my love for manta rays whilst based in Mozambique. Since then, I have dedicated my career to learning as much as possible and conducting research on these incredible animals.

I enrolled on my MSc in Marine Environmental Management at the University of York, as part of which I conducted a summer placement in the Maldives with the Maldivian Manta Ray Project (MMRP), where I discovered my fascination with the social behaviour of manta rays. Combining my role as the MMRP Research Officer with my Ph.D. studies, I spent three exciting years in the Maldives, studying the world-famous Hanifaru Bay MPA, Baa Atoll. Free diving with these animals every day was incredible and offered a unique opportunity to observe their natural behaviour and social interactions.

I have been working as the Manta Caribbean Project Manager since 2018 and love my role researching the population of Atlantic or “Caribbean” manta rays observed off the Yucatán Peninsula, thought to be the third, putative species. Last year, I submitted my Ph.D. thesis and now am excited about my future studying these gentle giants.

December 2020