Juvenile rays rest in the shallows of the St Joseph Atoll Marine Protected Area. “This corner is only accessible during specific tides,” explains Pouponeau. “We surveyed mangroves for research with the Save Our Seas Foundation – D’Arros Research Centre when we came across this special sight. Although the rays always thrive in the Atoll, their congregation varies with different conditions. Capturing them requires ideal tides, stagnant waters, and good visibility. Here, everything came together, and the image portrays the importance of healthy mangrove habitats and isolated island sanctuaries.”