Integrated Caribbean Economic Recovery Strategy

Blue Manta

Strategic Initiative(s) Alignment: Blue Economy

Type: Event, Support/Coordination

Year(s): 2022

Formally christened on April 21st, 2022, the EDA-funded 77′ research vessel Blue Manta is an aluminum catamaran constructed for use in both near coastal and ocean waters. It is Bluetide Puerto Rico’s (BTPR) first vessel and will conduct marine and oceanographic research, education, and conservation activities that promote the blue economy.

In just its first few months in service, the Blue Manta has been used to deploy 22 fish aggregating devices (FADs) for the Legado Azul Foundation of Puerto Rico. Within 30 days of deployment, a dive inspection by the team at BTPR found the FADs swarming with fish! This documents how the FAD technology is advancing habitat restoration.

In early May 2022, the research vessel participated in its first international engagement through a collaboration with the Sport Fishing Championship. Held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the event was the second phase in a circuit of 12 Sport Fishing Championships and provided a boost to the Blue Economy initiative of the Caribbean.

Blue Manta was purchased using an EDA 2018 Supplemental Funding grant to Bluetide Puerto Rico, Inc., to drive innovation, workforce development, and international collaboration, which will create jobs and advance emerging industry clusters of manufacturing, fishing, and tourism.

https://www.allamericanmarine.com/vessels-gallery/bluetide-pr/

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Blue Manta opens the doors to the export of services and the exchange of technology within and outside of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Several local articles were published highlighting the christening of the Blue Manta and the vessel’s mission.