Manta and devil rays are, arguably, some of the most iconic marine species in the world. Yet, despite their protected status under international agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Appendix II, they continue to face severe threats from international trade. The Manta Trust, in collaboration with a global network of experts, has just published a landmark study that exposes the alarming scale of exploitation these species face, driven by demand for their meat and gill plates. The findings, published today in the Environmental Biology of Fishes, are based on expert surveys, interviews, and an extensive analysis of trade and fisheries data across 75 countries. And unfortunately, the study reveals a vast global network of mobulid (manta and devil ray) exploitation.
"Manta and devil rays are among the most iconic and legislatively protected marine species, yet they remain incredibly vulnerable to overfishing," said Dr. Guy Stevens, CEO and Co-Founder of The Manta Trust. "After over a decade of global protections under CITES, it is disheartening to see unsustainable trade in these species not only continuing but increasing. Stronger action, including an Appendix I uplisting, is urgently needed to protect them."
Mobulids are landed in 43 countries, with their meat consumed in at least 35 and gill plates exported from 14. Major trade routes are concentrated in Asia and Africa, with Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia identified as high-priority countries for conservation action. Despite nearly a decade of international protections under CITES Appendix II, and national measures in over 40 countries, trade in mobulids persists at unsustainable levels. While Mobulid meat is predominantly consumed locally (though some trade does occur between countries in South America, Africa, and Asia), the highly sought after gill plates are primarily traded internationally. Key export hubs in Africa and Asia supply markets in mainland China and Hong Kong, with prices for gill plates (which are used in traditional Chinese medicine and as a delicacy in Asia) fetching up to USD $1,260 per kilogram. The trade routes are complex, linking coastal landing sites to global markets via land, sea, and air. Processing sites also range from informal beachside operations to industrial facilities in countries such as Peru and India. Among the five high-priority countries, Myanmar stands out as a critical conservation focus. It serves as both a consumer and exporter of mobulid products and a transit hub for gill plates imported from neighboring countries.
Lead author Dr. Marta D. Palacios from Mobula Conservation was "struck by how widespread the consumption and trade of mobulid products has become. This study reveals the truly global nature of the issue, with trade routes spanning continents and connecting neighbouring nations. Without stronger international protections [...] the survival of these critically endangered species is at even greater risk."
Recommendations for action include stricter enforcement of existing international, regional, and national regulations (e.g., CITES, CMS, and RFMOs), enhanced international protections like the uplisting of mobulid rays to CITES Appendix I, effective fisheries management to drastically reduce both targeted catch and bycatch, and improved monitoring of mobulid catch and trade routes. The authors also state that customs enforcement at airports and land crossings needs to be reinforced, and surveillance of online marketplaces is essential to address the rise in digital sales. Shifting market trends in China and Hong Kong -- where sales are increasingly moving online -- pose new challenges for monitoring and enforcement, so collaborative international efforts are necessary.
"Conservation is not just about creating laws; it's about ensuring they are effectively implemented," said Palacios. "This study makes it clear that current protections are not sufficient to address the ongoing threats to mobulid populations. Without urgent action, we risk losing these extraordinary species."
Added Stevens: "It is time to change the tide and ensure mobulids remain a ray of hope for ocean conservation efforts."