WEBVTT 00:01.633 --> 00:03.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: In the shallow, turquoise, clear waters 00:03.966 --> 00:05.900 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% of Grand Cayman's North Sound, 00:05.933 --> 00:08.466 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% dozens of wild southern stingrays 00:08.500 --> 00:12.133 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% glide effortlessly through the sea. 00:12.166 --> 00:14.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% >> These southern rays are very, very important 00:14.466 --> 00:18.933 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% to the Cayman Islands from an ecotourism perspective. 00:18.966 --> 00:21.733 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% >> NARRATOR: Tourists from all over the world come to the site 00:21.766 --> 00:23.666 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% to interact with the animals. 00:23.700 --> 00:25.633 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% >> You don't get that kind of experience 00:25.666 --> 00:27.166 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% anywhere else in the world. 00:27.200 --> 00:30.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> It's the number one water sports attraction on the island. 00:30.433 --> 00:33.266 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% >> It's a hundred foot vis, 00:33.300 --> 00:37.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% it's generally calm and the animals are very conditioned. 00:40.800 --> 00:43.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% >> NARRATOR: Thousands of people each year visit the iconic 00:43.866 --> 00:45.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% stingrays of Grand Cayman, 00:45.600 --> 00:47.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% and for more than a decade 00:47.066 --> 00:50.966 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% researchers have been studying the animals. 00:51.000 --> 00:54.400 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% Among other things, they want to find out what impact 00:54.433 --> 00:57.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% human interaction might have on the fish. 00:57.433 --> 01:02.433 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% >> From boat fuel, sunscreen, people eliminating in the water, 01:02.466 --> 01:05.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% all of the different types of things that they're exposed to 01:05.033 --> 01:07.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% at the sandbar in really high concentrations 01:07.733 --> 01:10.933 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% could certainly be very detrimental to them long term. 01:10.966 --> 01:13.333 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% Because the numbers of people that are visiting the sandbar 01:13.366 --> 01:15.633 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% just grow and grow every year. 01:15.666 --> 01:17.400 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% >> The animals have a wretched time 01:17.433 --> 01:19.166 align:left position:35%,start line:83% size:55% when there's too many people there. 01:19.200 --> 01:21.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% They become very flighty, they keep moving all the time, 01:21.933 --> 01:25.200 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% they stay on the perimeter of the sandbar and don't interact. 01:25.233 --> 01:29.200 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% So it's a double edged sword-- how much is too much? 01:29.233 --> 01:31.633 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% >> This is our national treasure. 01:31.666 --> 01:33.466 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% Why not enjoy it, you know? 01:33.500 --> 01:35.466 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65% But don't abuse it. 01:35.500 --> 01:37.966 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% >> Our concern is, first and foremost, 01:38.000 --> 01:39.500 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% the welfare of the rays. 01:39.533 --> 01:43.133 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Secondarily, obviously very importantly, the experience 01:43.166 --> 01:44.800 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% of the visitors to our islands. 01:44.833 --> 01:47.133 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% And we probably have a million people a year 01:47.166 --> 01:49.933 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% who visit the stingray. 01:49.966 --> 01:52.100 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% So, it is clearly something that is extremely important to us, 01:52.133 --> 01:55.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% but it's equally important that we get the balance right. 02:00.200 --> 02:05.500 align:left position:45%,start line:89% size:45% ♪ ♪ 02:20.766 --> 02:22.466 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% >> Major funding for this program 02:22.500 --> 02:25.366 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% was provided by the Batchelor Foundation, 02:25.400 --> 02:28.533 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% encouraging people to preserve and protect 02:28.566 --> 02:31.333 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources. 02:33.766 --> 02:36.700 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% And by Divers Direct Emocean Club, 02:36.733 --> 02:39.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% inspiring the pursuit of tropical adventures 02:39.166 --> 02:41.366 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5% and scuba diving. 02:41.400 --> 02:44.133 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% And by the Do Unto Others Trust. 02:47.933 --> 02:50.566 align:left position:45%,start line:89% size:45% ♪ ♪ 02:56.666 --> 02:58.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% >> NARRATOR: The Cayman Islands 02:58.066 --> 03:01.933 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% are a popular travel destination in the western Caribbean. 03:09.566 --> 03:12.766 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% Grand Cayman, the largest of the country's three islands, 03:12.800 --> 03:16.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% is famous the world over as a major banking center, 03:16.133 --> 03:20.300 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% and for its beautiful beaches and marine environment. 03:20.333 --> 03:23.933 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% And for the last 30 years or so, 03:23.966 --> 03:27.866 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% the island has also become known for its tame stingrays 03:27.900 --> 03:32.266 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% that congregate in the shallow waters of the North Sound. 03:32.300 --> 03:33.766 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70% >> Fishermen would come inside to the area 03:33.800 --> 03:36.100 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70% because it was shallow, they could clean their catch. 03:36.133 --> 03:38.966 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% The stingray started to catch on and would aggregate there 03:39.000 --> 03:42.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% to feed on the discarded fish parts that were thrown 03:42.533 --> 03:44.733 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% over the side, and then people decided 03:44.766 --> 03:46.700 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% that the rays were friendly and close enough 03:46.733 --> 03:48.966 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% that they could feed them, and it took off as a phenomenon. 03:49.000 --> 03:52.633 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: Normally, wild stingrays are solitary animals 03:52.666 --> 03:54.733 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% that are very skittish of people 03:54.766 --> 03:56.966 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% and can rarely be approached closely. 03:57.000 --> 04:01.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% During the daytime they are often found buried in the sand 04:01.766 --> 04:03.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% hiding from predators such as sharks. 04:06.666 --> 04:10.066 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% But at the Stingray Sand Bar, also sometimes referred to 04:10.100 --> 04:13.766 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% as Stingray City after a nearby site where scuba divers 04:13.800 --> 04:17.700 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% can interact with the animals, the fish actively engage 04:17.733 --> 04:20.900 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% with visitors, making the area one of the most popular 04:20.933 --> 04:23.966 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% tourist attractions on Grand Cayman. 04:24.000 --> 04:25.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% >> This is one of our main business right here 04:25.600 --> 04:27.500 align:left position:30%,start line:5% size:60% on this island, especially for tourism. 04:27.533 --> 04:29.900 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% A lot of the locals, the local guys does it 04:29.933 --> 04:32.100 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% and when it's busy, the companies make money. 04:32.133 --> 04:33.866 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% Long as my customers are happy, I'm happy. 04:40.566 --> 04:45.500 align:left position:45%,start line:89% size:45% ♪ ♪ 04:48.600 --> 04:51.766 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: Renowned marine life artist and scientist 04:51.800 --> 04:56.033 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Guy Harvey moved to Grand Cayman in 1999. 04:56.066 --> 04:59.800 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% >> I was interested in the turnover of animals, 04:59.833 --> 05:02.766 align:left position:27.5%,start line:5% size:62.5% the site fidelity, the sex ratio, 05:02.800 --> 05:04.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% what they do at nighttime, 05:04.533 --> 05:06.600 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% all these questions no one could answer. 05:06.633 --> 05:11.566 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% Nobody had any clue how many animals were there. 05:11.600 --> 05:14.066 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% >> It's really important to do this kind of research 05:14.100 --> 05:15.600 align:left position:30%,start line:5% size:60% on the sand bar because human interaction 05:15.633 --> 05:18.700 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70% has changed the dynamics of the stingray so drastically. 05:22.066 --> 05:24.633 align:left position:45%,start line:89% size:45% ♪ ♪ 05:32.600 --> 05:34.366 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% >> NARRATOR: In 2002, 05:34.400 --> 05:37.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Guy began a research project in collaboration 05:37.700 --> 05:40.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment 05:40.733 --> 05:44.533 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% to learn more about the iconic rays. 05:44.566 --> 05:47.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% >> We started a two-year population study 05:47.866 --> 05:51.433 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% using two research students, along with a supervisor 05:51.466 --> 05:53.866 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% from the Guy Harvey Research Institute 05:53.900 --> 05:55.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% based at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, 05:55.833 --> 05:59.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% and during that time they tagged 180 animals from the sandbar 05:59.866 --> 06:03.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% and 20 others from around the island as control animals. 06:03.600 --> 06:05.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% So that was our benchmark. 06:05.600 --> 06:07.900 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% And the important thing was to get every animal tagged 06:07.933 --> 06:10.066 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% with a non-invasive pit tag. 06:10.100 --> 06:14.166 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% >> NARRATOR: These pit tags are similar to a pet's micro-chip 06:14.200 --> 06:17.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% and they allow the experts to identify individual animals 06:17.433 --> 06:19.766 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% when they are re-captured. 06:19.800 --> 06:22.833 align:left position:37.5%,start line:89% size:52.5% >> 18261. 06:22.866 --> 06:26.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> We found that we had 100 percent retention of these tags. 06:26.400 --> 06:29.833 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% Many of the large animals that are there at the sandbar today 06:29.866 --> 06:31.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% were tagged back in 2002, 06:31.633 --> 06:34.200 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% so that gives us a fantastic chronology 06:34.233 --> 06:36.766 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% of their life history. 06:38.900 --> 06:41.066 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% >> NARRATOR: During the first two years of the study, 06:41.100 --> 06:43.633 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% researchers monitored the animals monthly 06:43.666 --> 06:46.300 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% to gather detailed information. 06:46.333 --> 06:48.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> We also did some sonic tracking at nighttime 06:48.466 --> 06:50.833 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% to determine where they went because we realized 06:50.866 --> 06:52.933 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% that their behavior had changed completely. 06:52.966 --> 06:55.266 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% They are typically nocturnal predators and will lay low 06:55.300 --> 06:57.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% in the daytime, but now they are feeding in the daytime 06:57.900 --> 07:00.933 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% and laying low at night, especially the large females. 07:00.966 --> 07:02.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% And they would go and sit 07:02.433 --> 07:04.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% within a quarter of a mile of the sandbar. 07:04.233 --> 07:06.100 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% The males, we found on the other hand, 07:06.133 --> 07:08.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% because they were out-competed because they are smaller, 07:08.566 --> 07:09.900 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% would forage at night 07:09.933 --> 07:11.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and actually cover two or three miles in a night 07:11.833 --> 07:13.700 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% before coming back to the sandbar. 07:13.733 --> 07:16.966 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% We found that the two sexes had completely different behavior. 07:17.000 --> 07:19.533 align:left position:35%,start line:83% size:55% >> NARRATOR: In southern stingrays, 07:19.566 --> 07:21.400 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% as in many other fishes, 07:21.433 --> 07:25.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% the females are larger than the males. 07:25.766 --> 07:27.733 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% >> Having larger females gives you a reproductive advantage 07:27.766 --> 07:31.066 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% over everybody else because the bigger you are 07:31.100 --> 07:34.066 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75% the more pups you can have. 07:37.733 --> 07:39.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% >> NARRATOR: Guy and his research team continue 07:39.900 --> 07:43.066 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% the summer counts of the animals over the years. 07:43.100 --> 07:45.033 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> The research is critical, there's obviously an ongoing 07:45.066 --> 07:48.566 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% need to monitor these populations. 07:48.600 --> 07:50.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: When there was a sudden decline in the number 07:50.433 --> 07:52.666 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% of stingrays at the site, 07:52.700 --> 07:56.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% the researchers and tour operators became concerned. 07:56.033 --> 08:00.066 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% >> We first realized the decline in population late in 2010 08:00.100 --> 08:02.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% through casual observation alone. 08:02.133 --> 08:05.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% And by 2011 we got concerned; 08:05.033 --> 08:10.533 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% and 2012 we took our first January census 08:10.566 --> 08:14.000 align:left position:35%,start line:83% size:55% in response to everybody's request. 08:14.033 --> 08:19.600 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% >> And found that compared to our 2002, 2003 and 2008 numbers, 08:19.633 --> 08:25.200 align:left position:10%,start line:5% size:80% they had dropped significantly, from over 100 to 61 08:25.233 --> 08:29.966 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5% in January 2012 and 57 in July 2012. 08:30.000 --> 08:32.000 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% Very drastic decrease, 08:32.033 --> 08:34.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% but we had no idea why that would be the case. 08:34.766 --> 08:39.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Could it be sharks that were taking them more often now? 08:39.333 --> 08:41.266 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Was it something to do with their health? 08:41.300 --> 08:43.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Has the diet we were giving them taken a toll finally? 08:43.866 --> 08:46.700 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% Any kind of stress or disease? 08:50.566 --> 08:52.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: To find answers to these questions, 08:52.500 --> 08:55.800 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% experts from the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta 08:55.833 --> 08:59.800 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% joined the research team from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation 08:59.833 --> 09:03.133 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% and the Department of Environment in 2012. 09:03.166 --> 09:06.366 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% They are conducting health assessments on the stingrays 09:06.400 --> 09:10.666 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% to understand what may have led to the decline in numbers 09:10.700 --> 09:12.666 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% and what impact the human interaction 09:12.700 --> 09:14.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% is having on the animals. 09:18.466 --> 09:21.766 align:left position:45%,start line:89% size:45% ♪ ♪ 09:26.566 --> 09:28.633 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% >> Well, I'm the stingray catcher. 09:28.666 --> 09:31.400 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% So, my job is to continually bring rays 09:31.433 --> 09:35.300 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% so that we keep the production line going as quickly 09:35.333 --> 09:36.833 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% and efficiently as possible, 09:36.866 --> 09:39.900 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% and that took many years of practice. 09:39.933 --> 09:43.766 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% I've had various help from tour boat operators to friends 09:43.800 --> 09:47.233 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% who were very skilled in the art of catching a ray. 09:47.266 --> 09:50.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Young ones are sometimes extremely difficult to catch 09:50.866 --> 09:52.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% because they are flighty, 09:52.466 --> 09:54.200 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% they escape easily from your hand, 09:54.233 --> 09:56.900 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% and you don't want to end up putting 09:56.933 --> 09:58.000 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% too much pressure on them. 10:05.033 --> 10:08.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% The larger ones are easier to catch, but harder to hold, 10:08.533 --> 10:12.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% because they're basically like a massive pizza, 10:12.533 --> 10:15.000 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% and they're very powerful animals so one flap 10:15.033 --> 10:17.533 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and they could be out of your hands. 10:26.666 --> 10:29.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> NARRATOR: Once securely on board the boat, 10:29.233 --> 10:31.800 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% the venomous barb on the stingray's tail is covered 10:31.833 --> 10:33.733 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% as a safety precaution. 10:33.766 --> 10:36.000 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70% >> The barb, of course, is a very important 10:36.033 --> 10:37.866 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% defensive mechanism for these animals 10:37.900 --> 10:39.333 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% and you have to respect that. 10:39.366 --> 10:41.633 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% >> Next, the animals are scanned 10:41.666 --> 10:44.400 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% to see if they have been tagged in the past. 10:44.433 --> 10:47.000 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50% >> 553. 10:47.033 --> 10:48.566 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% >> NARRATOR: After the animal is identified, 10:48.600 --> 10:52.533 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% basic measurements are taken to look at their growth. 10:52.566 --> 10:55.833 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% Then a vet takes blood samples from the vein that runs 10:55.866 --> 10:58.133 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% along the bottom of the tail. 10:58.166 --> 11:01.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% >> We look at many things such as complete blood counts, 11:01.833 --> 11:03.233 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% looking at the red cells, 11:03.266 --> 11:05.333 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% looking at the white blood cell counts. 11:05.366 --> 11:06.933 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% We look at their proteins, 11:06.966 --> 11:09.400 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% then we'll look at a general chemistry. 11:09.433 --> 11:11.433 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% We look at their stress hormones, 11:11.466 --> 11:14.666 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% and then we're also looking at vitamins, minerals, 11:14.700 --> 11:17.866 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% other nutrients, fatty acids. 11:17.900 --> 11:20.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% So it's very similar to whether we took our dog or our cat 11:20.800 --> 11:23.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% to the doctor's office, had a blood sample taken, 11:23.200 --> 11:25.200 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% and doing a complete health panel. 11:25.233 --> 11:28.133 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% The animals that are on the sandbar 11:28.166 --> 11:30.600 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% definitely appear relatively healthy. 11:30.633 --> 11:33.266 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% When we look at their blood parameters and compare that 11:33.300 --> 11:36.533 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% to the very little bit of data that is out there 11:36.566 --> 11:38.200 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% on free-ranging southern rays 11:38.233 --> 11:39.700 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% from along the Atlantic coast, 11:39.733 --> 11:43.066 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% and then we look at that in comparison to aquarium animals, 11:43.100 --> 11:46.300 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% they are very comparable with most things. 11:46.333 --> 11:50.533 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% In general, we feel like those animals are doing fairly well. 11:50.566 --> 11:53.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> NARRATOR: Experts also take a small tissue sample 11:53.633 --> 11:55.766 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% from one of the fins. 11:55.800 --> 11:58.000 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% >> We take it from the same place every time 11:58.033 --> 12:01.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% and that helps us identify that particular animal 12:01.566 --> 12:04.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% in terms of whether she has actually been looked at 12:04.066 --> 12:06.433 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% on this particular assessment. 12:06.466 --> 12:09.433 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% >> NARRATOR: The tissue will eventually grow back. 12:09.466 --> 12:13.166 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% Both tissue and blood samples are also used to study 12:13.200 --> 12:16.333 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% the nutritional health of the stingrays. 12:16.366 --> 12:18.333 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75% >> In the wild these animals would be solitary, 12:18.366 --> 12:19.866 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75% and they are bottom feeders. 12:19.900 --> 12:24.533 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% They'd be eating things like clams, bivalves, crustaceans. 12:24.566 --> 12:26.833 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% They may come across dead carcasses. 12:26.866 --> 12:29.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% So they would have a varied diet in the wild. 12:29.433 --> 12:32.266 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% Here at the site, they're actually being hand fed 12:32.300 --> 12:36.366 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% a non-native food item, squid. 12:36.400 --> 12:38.300 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% And squid is fairly nutritionally poor 12:38.333 --> 12:39.600 align:left position:32.5%,start line:89% size:57.5% to begin with. 12:39.633 --> 12:41.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% So, that could be related to why we're seeing 12:41.900 --> 12:45.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% some of the population level changes here at the sandbar. 12:45.766 --> 12:49.433 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% Also, a free ranging stingray can travel 12:49.466 --> 12:52.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% miles and miles a day to actually find food. 12:52.433 --> 12:55.266 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% These animals are relatively stationary because they know 12:55.300 --> 12:59.566 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% they will get access to food relatively easily day after day. 12:59.600 --> 13:02.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% We're looking at vitamins and trace minerals in their blood, 13:02.600 --> 13:04.500 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% and that's sort of a gross indicator 13:04.533 --> 13:06.766 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% of their nutritional status. 13:06.800 --> 13:09.200 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% And then we're looking at more fine-scale markers. 13:09.233 --> 13:11.466 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% We're looking at fatty acids, and we're also looking 13:11.500 --> 13:13.166 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65% at stable isotopes. 13:13.200 --> 13:16.866 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Both of those markers are based on the fact 13:16.900 --> 13:18.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% that you are what you eat. 13:18.333 --> 13:21.600 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% We can actually look at those markers to track over time 13:21.633 --> 13:23.800 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% what these animals have been eating. 13:23.833 --> 13:25.200 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Some of the preliminary data that we're seeing 13:25.233 --> 13:28.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% is that the fatty acid profile of these animals 13:28.033 --> 13:31.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% is very similar to squid, which makes sense 13:31.433 --> 13:33.933 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% because that is what they are primarily being fed, 13:33.966 --> 13:36.900 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% and that's telling us that their dietary history 13:36.933 --> 13:40.866 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% is not ideal for them and could, potentially down the road, 13:40.900 --> 13:42.900 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% present some problems for these animals. 13:42.933 --> 13:45.666 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% All the animals here are getting enough food, 13:45.700 --> 13:47.800 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% but are they getting the right kinds of food? 13:47.833 --> 13:51.200 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% So if we liken it from a human perspective, we could ask, 13:51.233 --> 13:52.733 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% "Are these guys couch potatoes? 13:52.766 --> 13:54.866 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Are they eating too many potato chips?" 13:54.900 --> 13:58.333 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: Evidence shows the stingrays at the sandbar 13:58.366 --> 14:02.366 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% do forage for food in addition to being fed by people, 14:02.400 --> 14:06.400 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% but just how much might differ between the sexes. 14:06.433 --> 14:08.533 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% To get a more fine-scaled picture 14:08.566 --> 14:10.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% of these dietary differences, 14:10.600 --> 14:13.666 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Lisa examined ten males and ten females 14:13.700 --> 14:17.066 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% on a quarterly basis in 2014. 14:17.100 --> 14:19.466 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% >> The females are a little bit pushier animals, 14:19.500 --> 14:21.266 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% so the males tend to be on the fringes. 14:21.300 --> 14:23.133 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% Based on some of the tracking data that has been done 14:23.166 --> 14:26.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% by our colleagues, we know the females tend to stay put. 14:26.600 --> 14:28.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% The males tend to range a little bit more. 14:28.666 --> 14:30.600 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% So, I suspect the reason they're ranging 14:30.633 --> 14:32.666 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% is because they might be feeding on other things, 14:32.700 --> 14:35.600 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% because they cannot get access due to the competition 14:35.633 --> 14:37.433 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% by the females out at the sandbar. 14:37.466 --> 14:39.700 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% So, if that is true, we should be able to see that 14:39.733 --> 14:43.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% in the stable isotope and in the fatty acid data. 14:45.033 --> 14:48.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: The scientists also hope that 2014's 14:48.033 --> 14:50.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% quarterly survey will give them a better understanding 14:50.533 --> 14:54.133 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% of the animals' reproductive cycle. 14:54.166 --> 14:55.666 align:left position:27.5%,start line:5% size:62.5% >> This of course has particular relevance 14:55.700 --> 14:58.633 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5% to the sustainability of the whole experience. 14:58.666 --> 15:02.200 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% >> NARRATOR: Dr. Alexa McDermott conducts an ultrasound 15:02.233 --> 15:04.733 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% on each female that comes onboard. 15:04.766 --> 15:10.300 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% Unlike most fish, stingrays give birth to live pups. 15:10.333 --> 15:13.100 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% >> First I look at the uterus, usually because it's the easiest 15:13.133 --> 15:14.733 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% most prominent thing to find, 15:14.766 --> 15:16.533 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70% especially if the animal is pregnant, 15:16.566 --> 15:19.066 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% and with the ultrasound you can see the uterine wall 15:19.100 --> 15:22.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and you can see little finger-like projections 15:22.533 --> 15:25.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% inside the uterus on some of the animals if they're pregnant, 15:25.466 --> 15:28.200 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% and those secrete nutrients for the developing pups. 15:28.233 --> 15:33.800 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% So, this is an image of a pup inside the uterus. 15:33.833 --> 15:37.900 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% So, the uterus will be here and then the pup is here. 15:37.933 --> 15:41.966 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% This is the body of the pup and here's the wing and a wing. 15:42.000 --> 15:45.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% So it's as if the pup is swimming at you on the screen, 15:45.900 --> 15:47.566 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% and you can even see the individual 15:47.600 --> 15:51.033 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% little cartilage rays in the wings. 15:51.066 --> 15:52.833 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% And then I also look at the ovaries, 15:52.866 --> 15:56.233 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% so I look to see how many they have, 15:56.266 --> 16:00.033 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% if they're all the same color, if they're all the same size, 16:00.066 --> 16:02.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% if there are cysts present or not present. 16:02.866 --> 16:06.266 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% And so, I'm looking to see if that changes with pregnancy, 16:06.300 --> 16:09.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% seeing if that changes over time for individuals, 16:09.766 --> 16:12.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% and just kind of documenting it 16:12.066 --> 16:16.166 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% because it hasn't really been done before in this species. 16:16.200 --> 16:19.366 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: At each of the quarterly health assessments 16:19.400 --> 16:23.566 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% in 2014, a little more than one-third of the females 16:23.600 --> 16:26.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% were pregnant, leading the scientists to believe 16:26.533 --> 16:29.100 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% that there is no specific breeding season 16:29.133 --> 16:31.800 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% for this population of stingrays. 16:36.600 --> 16:39.833 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% As the sandbar grew in popularity over the years, 16:39.866 --> 16:42.266 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% the increasing number of tourists at the site 16:42.300 --> 16:44.900 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% became a source of concern. 16:44.933 --> 16:48.233 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> The animals, on a heavy cruise ship day, are harassed, 16:48.266 --> 16:50.033 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% you can see that they are uncomfortable because they fly 16:50.066 --> 16:52.200 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% around the place, they're moving very quickly 16:52.233 --> 16:54.966 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% and they're not stopping. 16:55.000 --> 16:58.833 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% >> NARRATOR: In 2007 rules were introduced to better regulate 16:58.866 --> 17:02.466 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% the interactions between rays and people. 17:02.500 --> 17:03.966 align:left position:30%,start line:5% size:60% >> There's three types of limits: 17:04.000 --> 17:07.333 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% A, a limit to the count of people you can have on the boat, 17:07.366 --> 17:09.433 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and that's restricted to 100 people. 17:09.466 --> 17:11.000 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% Then there's a limit to the amount of boats 17:11.033 --> 17:13.533 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% that can be in there at any one time. 17:13.566 --> 17:16.833 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% So, the limit is 20 commercial boats for an hour or so, 17:16.866 --> 17:19.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% and obviously if you got 20 boats with 100 people on that, 17:19.433 --> 17:21.533 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% that gives the theoretical limit of 2,000 people, 17:21.566 --> 17:23.700 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% but there's an actual person limit 17:23.733 --> 17:26.800 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% of 1,500 commercial passengers. 17:26.833 --> 17:28.866 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% So, that just accounts for the fact that most of the boats 17:28.900 --> 17:31.066 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% can't carry 100 people. 17:33.266 --> 17:34.800 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% >> NARRATOR: The sandbar became what is known 17:34.833 --> 17:37.300 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% as a wildlife interaction zone, 17:37.333 --> 17:42.400 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% or W.I.Z., and stingrays were protected inside this area. 17:42.433 --> 17:46.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% >> You are allowed to hold them, you're allowed to feed them, 17:46.766 --> 17:48.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% but you are not allowed to lift them out of the water. 17:48.900 --> 17:51.166 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% There was also an issue with what people were feeding them. 17:51.200 --> 17:54.200 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% So we introduced conditions that restricted the feeding 17:54.233 --> 17:56.400 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% to ballyhoo and squid. 17:56.433 --> 17:59.633 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> And you're not allowed to wear shoes in the water, 17:59.666 --> 18:02.600 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% you're not allowed to fish or take any wildlife 18:02.633 --> 18:04.600 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70% out of the W.I.Z. zone, 18:04.633 --> 18:08.266 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% you aren't allowed to harm the rays in any way. 18:08.300 --> 18:12.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> It's a very difficult job to balance the private interest 18:12.500 --> 18:15.533 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% versus the commercial versus the tourism product, 18:15.566 --> 18:18.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% and above all that the environmental concerns. 18:18.666 --> 18:20.433 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% So yeah, we worked for close to five years consulting 18:20.466 --> 18:22.100 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% with the stake holders. 18:22.133 --> 18:24.133 align:left position:37.5%,start line:83% size:52.5% I think it is the best compromise 18:24.166 --> 18:25.866 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% that could be expected under the situation. 18:25.900 --> 18:28.200 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% I do think that it does work well. 18:28.233 --> 18:30.666 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% There are definitely still days when the timing is off 18:30.700 --> 18:33.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% and you get the full quota, the 20 boats with a lot 18:33.766 --> 18:36.466 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% of people and the sense then is it's very, very crowded 18:36.500 --> 18:37.966 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% and I don't think people enjoy that. 18:38.000 --> 18:40.033 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% But on a typical day with one to two ships, 18:40.066 --> 18:43.000 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% it's not so stressful at the sandbar. 18:43.033 --> 18:45.200 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% Yeah, there are things we would like to change, 18:45.233 --> 18:47.566 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% but respecting all of the stakeholders and the compromise 18:47.600 --> 18:50.066 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% that we are at, I think, yeah, the balance is pretty good. 18:50.100 --> 18:52.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% >> NARRATOR: While the rays now had protection 18:52.966 --> 18:55.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% inside the wildlife interaction zone, 18:55.933 --> 18:57.666 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% no laws prohibited the taking of rays 18:57.700 --> 19:00.333 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% elsewhere around the island. 19:00.366 --> 19:02.066 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% >> The W.I.Z. zone isn't large enough 19:02.100 --> 19:04.100 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% for the typical ray territory of a stingray. 19:04.133 --> 19:07.000 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% So, once a stingray traveled outside the W.I.Z. zone, 19:07.033 --> 19:09.566 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% it was theoretically possible that you can capture that ray 19:09.600 --> 19:12.333 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% and there was no law saying what you did with it-- 19:12.366 --> 19:14.966 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% you could eat the ray, you could put it in a tank-- 19:15.000 --> 19:17.233 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% which is actually what happened. 19:17.266 --> 19:20.433 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% We had a local establishment that had about ten rays 19:20.466 --> 19:22.933 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% that had put them in a tank and had them on display 19:22.966 --> 19:25.700 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% with other creatures that it had there. 19:25.733 --> 19:28.000 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75% >> They said they came from fishermen, they were caught 19:28.033 --> 19:31.000 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% by hook and line and would have died anyway. 19:31.033 --> 19:33.733 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% >> But one thing that was very noticeable about the rays 19:33.766 --> 19:36.633 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% that were in the tank is that they were not freaked out 19:36.666 --> 19:39.266 align:left position:27.5%,start line:5% size:62.5% by humans and that you could hand feed them, 19:39.300 --> 19:41.733 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% which everybody immediately assumed these rays had come 19:41.766 --> 19:43.200 align:left position:27.5%,start line:89% size:62.5% from the sand bar. 19:43.233 --> 19:45.966 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% So there was a hue and cry about the fact that people 19:46.000 --> 19:47.566 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% were taking rays from the sand bar. 19:47.600 --> 19:49.800 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% So, we investigated the situation and found 19:49.833 --> 19:53.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% that out of the ten rays that they had, 19:53.066 --> 19:56.733 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% a couple of them had been tagged from our research efforts. 19:56.766 --> 20:00.800 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% And from our research, we know that stingrays 20:00.833 --> 20:05.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% around the sandbar show a strong site fidelity to the area. 20:05.366 --> 20:08.133 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% And so the likelihood that they would have come 20:08.166 --> 20:10.400 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% from Stingray City was quite high, 20:10.433 --> 20:13.900 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% but you can't prove that because some will forage elsewhere 20:13.933 --> 20:16.400 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% if they haven't been fed enough for the day, 20:16.433 --> 20:19.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% and they're not protected outside the W.I.Z. zone. 20:19.833 --> 20:23.633 align:left position:10%,start line:5% size:80% >> And that actually heightened the awareness of, wow, 20:23.666 --> 20:26.100 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% we think the numbers of the animals on the sandbar 20:26.133 --> 20:28.766 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% have been declining and might this be another reason 20:28.800 --> 20:30.200 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5% why they're declining. 20:30.233 --> 20:32.400 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% Are people actually fishing for them, 20:32.433 --> 20:35.466 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% are they being taken to other locations? 20:35.500 --> 20:38.766 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% I think that was definitely an eye-opener, if you will, 20:38.800 --> 20:40.500 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% for the Department of Environment, 20:40.533 --> 20:42.866 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% for the ecotourism industry down here 20:42.900 --> 20:44.966 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% that more protection was needed. 20:46.500 --> 20:49.266 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> In the press it became quite a heated item 20:49.300 --> 20:51.233 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% because the owner and operator of the Dolphin Discovery 20:51.266 --> 20:55.066 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% didn't want to let go of the animals. 20:55.100 --> 20:57.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% And the D.O.E. made them put back the tagged ones 20:57.133 --> 20:59.833 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% but they held onto the six untagged ones. 20:59.866 --> 21:01.633 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% And we were pushing to get them protected 21:01.666 --> 21:04.333 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% because theoretically anyone can take a stingray 21:04.366 --> 21:07.200 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% and fling it on their barbeque, because people do eat them, 21:07.233 --> 21:10.000 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% or put them in their own pool, or put them in their bathtub 21:10.033 --> 21:11.300 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% and do whatever they want 21:11.333 --> 21:13.300 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and there was nothing to protect the stingray 21:13.333 --> 21:14.566 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% and why would you want this to happen 21:14.600 --> 21:17.100 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% if these animals are worth so much money? 21:17.133 --> 21:21.533 align:left position:10%,start line:5% size:80% So, I took a back of an envelope calculation and said, 21:21.566 --> 21:28.466 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% you know 60 rays, at the time there were only 60 rays, 21:28.500 --> 21:32.333 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% 500,000 people paying $40 a head, 21:32.366 --> 21:35.100 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% each animal generates half a million dollars a year. 21:35.133 --> 21:37.166 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% They're long-lived, slow-growing animals, 21:37.200 --> 21:39.900 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% so in 20 years an animal theoretically can generate 21:39.933 --> 21:41.866 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% $10 million for this country. 21:41.900 --> 21:43.366 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% Why wouldn't you protect them? 21:43.400 --> 21:46.700 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Until we put it into dollars and cents, finally the penny dropped 21:46.733 --> 21:49.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% for the politicians and something got done about it. 21:49.666 --> 21:51.500 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% And the next Minister of Environment, he gets it, said, 21:51.533 --> 21:56.266 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% "You put those stingrays back in the ocean where they belong." 21:56.300 --> 21:58.566 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% And there was a big palaver about that 21:58.600 --> 22:00.733 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and they got released, and I'm glad to say 22:00.766 --> 22:03.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% many of those same animals are still at the sandbar 22:03.233 --> 22:06.100 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% so they've become acclimatized to their new location 22:06.133 --> 22:08.700 align:left position:25%,start line:89% size:65% and are doing fine. 22:08.733 --> 22:12.333 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> NARRATOR: In May 2013, a law was put in place 22:12.366 --> 22:14.366 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% that protected southern stingrays 22:14.400 --> 22:17.600 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and two other species in the Cayman Islands. 22:17.633 --> 22:19.533 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5% >> You could no longer have a ray in captivity, 22:19.566 --> 22:21.266 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% you could no longer take one from the wild, 22:21.300 --> 22:23.933 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75% so that was the reason that that was introduced. 22:23.966 --> 22:26.466 align:left position:27.5%,start line:5% size:62.5% Again, not really to protect rays 22:26.500 --> 22:28.400 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% because they were threatened as a species, 22:28.433 --> 22:31.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% but the sandbar rays were threatened by entrepreneurs 22:31.233 --> 22:33.100 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% that wanted to kind of exploit the fact 22:33.133 --> 22:36.833 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% that these rays were already conditioned to being hand fed. 22:36.866 --> 22:39.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% So, the majority of the rays in captivity were male, 22:39.900 --> 22:42.666 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and subsequently there was a very big fall off 22:42.700 --> 22:44.033 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% in the number of males at the sandbar, 22:44.066 --> 22:45.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% and this was actually quite a serious issue 22:45.533 --> 22:47.866 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% because there was already a very large imbalance 22:47.900 --> 22:50.233 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% between male and female. 22:50.266 --> 22:54.500 align:left position:15%,start line:5% size:75% >> There are currently seven females to one male, 22:54.533 --> 22:56.733 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% and so removing animals, especially males, 22:56.766 --> 23:00.400 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% from the population could have a drastic effect. 23:00.433 --> 23:03.766 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% >> NARRATOR: But since the return of the captive animals 23:03.800 --> 23:06.833 align:left position:12.5%,start line:83% size:77.5% to the sandbar the population has rebounded. 23:06.866 --> 23:08.766 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% >> The population has definitely rebounded for reasons 23:08.800 --> 23:11.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% we still don't fully understand and this is why the blood work 23:11.600 --> 23:14.800 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% coming in from the Georgia Aquarium folks is so valuable. 23:14.833 --> 23:17.866 align:left position:15%,start line:83% size:75% You can get a better handle on their reproductive rate, 23:17.900 --> 23:19.666 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% on their body analysis and all that. 23:19.700 --> 23:21.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% >> We are not seeing the numbers necessarily 23:21.933 --> 23:24.966 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% that we would have seen in 2008, 23:25.000 --> 23:29.100 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% but they have certainly increased from 2012, 23:29.133 --> 23:30.466 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% which is very positive. 23:30.500 --> 23:34.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% >> NARRATOR: But despite the rules and new protections, 23:34.066 --> 23:36.200 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% some in the community still feel 23:36.233 --> 23:39.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% there are too many boats at the site. 23:39.900 --> 23:43.466 align:left position:12.5%,start line:5% size:77.5% >> You cannot give the people what they are paying for 23:43.500 --> 23:48.066 align:left position:30%,start line:5% size:60% when there's 800 or 1,000 people out here. 23:48.100 --> 23:50.833 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% I want them to have good memories 23:50.866 --> 23:52.466 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% of what this is all about, 23:52.500 --> 23:54.833 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% it's not just to enjoy themselves, 23:54.866 --> 23:58.433 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% but to be educational and respect the environment. 23:58.466 --> 24:03.633 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% I'm very emotional when I see a stingray get hurt, 24:03.666 --> 24:09.233 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I literally want to cry because they're a part of my life. 24:09.266 --> 24:12.566 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% This is a big earner for Cayman 24:12.600 --> 24:15.100 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% and this is one of our national gifts 24:15.133 --> 24:18.800 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% and we should respect it and not abuse it. 24:18.833 --> 24:22.400 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% Put less boats out here. 24:22.433 --> 24:25.300 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% Lot of the boats, I feel, is overloaded. 24:25.333 --> 24:27.033 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% >> On the major cruise ship days 24:27.066 --> 24:29.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% you can get up to five or six ships in dock, 24:29.533 --> 24:32.800 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% so it does become very busy indeed. 24:32.833 --> 24:34.633 align:left position:30%,start line:5% size:60% >> Those animals may see 5,000 people 24:34.666 --> 24:36.500 align:left position:10%,start line:5% size:80% in a day during the busy season. 24:36.533 --> 24:41.600 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% That's an awful lot of human interaction. 24:41.633 --> 24:44.100 align:left position:25%,start line:5% size:65% >> My recommendation is that there be no more 24:44.133 --> 24:46.166 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5% than 300 or 400 people on the sandbar 24:46.200 --> 24:48.266 align:left position:27.5%,start line:5% size:62.5% at any given time and how you control that 24:48.300 --> 24:51.000 align:left position:27.5%,start line:5% size:62.5% from a government perspective is up to them. 24:51.033 --> 24:54.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% It's our job is to provide the data, the science, 24:54.533 --> 24:56.233 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% on what is happening out there 24:56.266 --> 25:01.200 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% and give it to the policy makers to make a decision. 25:01.233 --> 25:03.333 align:left position:20%,start line:5% size:70% >> It can be a difficult balance to strike, 25:03.366 --> 25:06.933 align:left position:22.5%,start line:5% size:67.5% but I think we should nonetheless make every effort 25:06.966 --> 25:08.200 align:left position:17.5%,start line:5% size:72.5% to get the balance right. 25:08.233 --> 25:12.666 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% It has high economic value for us. 25:12.700 --> 25:16.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% But if we aren't good stewards, and if the welfare of the rays 25:16.533 --> 25:20.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% are not our primary focus and somehow we do something 25:20.533 --> 25:23.166 align:left position:32.5%,start line:83% size:57.5% to lose that, then we have lost the battle 25:23.200 --> 25:25.433 align:left position:15%,start line:89% size:75% and we have lost everything. 25:25.466 --> 25:27.733 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% So, we need to really err on the side of caution 25:27.766 --> 25:30.500 align:left position:17.5%,start line:83% size:72.5% and try to make sure from a conservation perspective 25:30.533 --> 25:32.700 align:left position:17.5%,start line:89% size:72.5% that we get things right. 26:14.066 --> 26:15.766 align:left position:12.5%,start line:89% size:77.5% Major funding for this program 26:15.800 --> 26:18.466 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% was provided by the Batchelor Foundation, 26:18.500 --> 26:21.800 align:left position:27.5%,start line:83% size:62.5% encouraging people to preserve and protect 26:21.833 --> 26:26.766 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources. 26:26.800 --> 26:29.900 align:left position:25%,start line:83% size:65% And by Divers Direct Emocean Club, 26:29.933 --> 26:31.166 align:left position:22.5%,start line:89% size:67.5% inspiring the pursuit 26:31.200 --> 26:34.500 align:left position:22.5%,start line:83% size:67.5% of tropical adventures and scuba diving. 26:34.533 --> 26:37.266 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% And by the Do Unto Others Trust.