This August the small coastal town of Coral Bay 1100km north of Perth, Western Australia will host the first Manta Ray Black Tie Ball, supporting Project AWARE.

Event organisers Diana Belton and Alice Martino are expecting a big crowd on Friday August 16th 2013, 6pm – 12am at Kane's Camp in Coral Bay. Originally from Canada, Diana spends her days as a manta tour guide in the heart of the Ningaloo Reef Marine Park. She’s passionate about protecting manta rays.  Alice swapped the waters of Lake Como, Italy for the Ningaloo Reef and is mad about mantas!

“We swim with mantas almost everyday and get to see them enjoy their natural habitat. Mantas should be safe to swim ocean wide not only in dedicated marine parks. As divers we want the chance to see manta rays everywhere these animals choose to populate. We hope one day everywhere can benefit from eco tourism as Coral Bay has,” said Diana.

The ball aims to raise awareness about the mantas plight and includes a silent auction, entertainment and information, finger food and a raffle. Through manta tourism the businesses and community of the Ningaloo Reef area have been able to make an income and here is a chance to give something back.

How Can You help?

• Donate online today – all funds support Project AWARE Manta Rays At Risk
• Donate prizes for the silent auction email us! [email protected]
• If you can't attend in person wear black and white on the night and post a picture of yourself to the Black Tie Fundraiser Facebook EventPage to show your support https://www.facebook.com/events/627641143913157/
  

  

Thanks to our fabulous fundraisers Alice and Diana for organising Australia's first black tie fundraising event to protect our magnificent manta rays with Project AWARE!  You can read more about the Project AWARE Manta Rays at Risk Campaign here.