PROJECT OVERVIEW
Since its formation in 2011, the Manta Trust and our collaborators have contributed critical data and expertise to aid the creation and enforcement of protective policies and legislation for manta and devil rays around the world (see key achievements below). While important steps have been taken, mobulid populations continue to decline and greater conservation measures are required.
In late 2023 and early 2024, our team undertook a comprehensive assessment to identify major policy and enforcement gaps hindering the conservation of manta and devil rays, bringing together experts to review the state of mobulid fisheries globally. Our ongoing efforts include compiling existing scientific data on mobulid fisheries and the gill plate and meat trade, assessing their impact on mobulid ray populations worldwide, and gathering crucial data on continued extirpation and overfishing at key hotspots. The result of our research can be found on our Research Portal.
More broadly, our team is working towards the strategic objectives laid out in Goals One and Two in our Five-Year Plan: building political and institutional support for protection of mobulids, improving capacity for effective enforcement of conservation measures, transitioning mobulid fishers to more sustainable livelihoods, and decreasing consumer demand for manta and devil ray products in key regions. We aim to influence all relevant fishing bodies and relevant communities to take significant steps to reduce mobulid bycatch, and to ensure that policy and regulations to reduce mobulid bycatch are effective and well-enforced.
PROJECT GOALS
To reduce the catch of manta and devil rays worldwide, with a focus on priority regions identified including West Africa, Peru, Mexico, Indonesia, China, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and through engagement with relevant international policy processes and institutions including International Commission of the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and The SPAW Protocol (Wider Caribbean Region).
To produce and support the production of pertinent research that can inform decision making and support adequate protection for manta and devil rays. This is achieved by filling knowledge gaps through producing peer-reviewed publications other material such as ID guides and ID keys; supporting key affiliate projects that work nationally or regionally in data collection and fisheries related issues; supporting sustainable species management and stakeholder engagement in key areas (West and Central Africa Elasmobranch Network); promoting knowledge exchange and connecting mobulid researchers worldwide and regionally (Atlantic Manta & Devil Ray Coalition; Important Shark and Ray Areas).
MAIN OBJECTIVES
To achieve these goals, the Fisheries & Conservation Policy Programme works to meet the following objectives:
(1) More protective policies exist to support manta and devil ray conservation in key regions;
(2) There is improved enforcement of existing protective policies in key regions, supported by adequate tools and information;
(3) More fishers have moved to more sustainable livelihoods so that the manta and devil ray fisheries are a lower target priority in key regions;
(4) Consumer demand for manta and devil ray products (gills and meat as a priority) is reduced;
(5) Relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), fishery collectives, fishing fleets, artisanal fishers, recreational, and subsistence fishers within key regions are working towards measures to reduce manta and devil ray capture and bycatch mortality;
(6) Regulations and effective enforcement exist to reduce manta and devil ray capture and bycatch mortality in key regions.
Key Achievements
Contributed critical data and expertise for the re-assessment to ‘Vulnerable’ status of both species of manta ray on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2011.
Our efforts with researchers and NGOs secured CITES Appendix II protection for all mobulid species, regulating trade in their body parts.
Contributed towards the Retention ban on mobulid rays in the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) fisheries.
Led the strategic publication 'Vulnerabilities and fisheries impacts: the uncertain future of manta and devil rays'.
Created a ‘Research & Policy Strategy’ for the long-term survival of mobulids.
Photos from the field
