Peru is home to the largest-known population of manta rays in the world. But, like other large marine mammals, manta rays are have been threatened by commercial fishing interests. Kerstin Forsberg is founder and director of Planeta Oceano, a community-based conservation organization that has been researching and advocating for manta ray conservation for many years. She was successful this year in leading the Peruvian government to offer full legal protection for manta rays by prohibiting manta fishing in Peru and requiring that any mantas, caught as bycatch, be released back into the ocean.

Forberg’s lecture, “Pioneering Manta Ray and Community-Based Conservation in Peru,” will be held Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the New England Aquarium Simons IMAX Theatre, Central Wharf, Boston

Pre-registration is encouraged on the Aquarium’s website, http://www.neaq.org/learn/lectures/upcoming-lectures/%20 or call 617-973-5200 for more information.