A Global Push to End Trade in Endangered Rays

The Manta Trust and global partners are launching a powerful new campaign, #SaveTheMantas, calling for a full ban on international commercial trade in manta and devil rays. The call comes ahead of the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), taking place this November.

At stake is a proposal to uplist all manta and devil rays (collectively known as mobulids) to CITES Appendix I, the highest level of international protection. If adopted, it would prohibit all commercial international trade in mobulid products, a critical step toward ending unsustainable exploitation.

“Manta and devil rays are among the most iconic and revered marine species, yet they remain incredibly vulnerable to overfishing,” said Dr Guy Stevens, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of the Manta Trust. “After over a decade of global protections under CITES Appendix II, it is disheartening to see unsustainable international trade in these species not only continuing, but increasing. Stronger action is urgently needed.”

Despite their Appendix II listing since 2013 (mantas) and 2016 (devil rays), mobulid populations continue to crash. All nine known species are now listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List, with seven classified as Endangered. In some areas, populations have fallen by more than 90%.

The main threat is overfishing, driven by the trade in gill plates, sold as a traditional remedy in parts of Asia, and meat consumed locally or exported. Manta and devil rays are caught worldwide, primarily in coastal fisheries. A recent global study led by the Manta Trust revealed that products from these rays are traded across at least 22 countries, often with little regulation or accurate reporting.

Mobulids’ biology makes them particularly vulnerable: they take about 10 years to mature and give birth to only one pup every few years. This means that even low fishing pressure can cause population collapse.

Why Appendix I Matters

An Appendix I uplisting would ban all commercial international trade, closing existing loopholes that allow exports under questionable “sustainable” quotas. It would also simplify enforcement: rather than identifying species or verifying documents, officials could apply a straightforward ban.

“Our study shows that current protections are not enough,” said Dr Marta D Palacios, lead author of the recent trade assessment. “Without urgent action, we risk losing these extraordinary species.”

The uplisting proposal, spearheaded by Ecuador and backed by a coalition of governments and NGOs, is grounded in the most comprehensive trade analysis to date and offers a practical path to protection.

Divers Join the Fight

To raise awareness, the Manta Trust is calling on divers and ocean lovers to join the #SaveTheMantas campaign launching this July. Participants can:

• Buy and wear the campaign T-shirt

• Take a photo and upload it to your social media and the Manta Trust campaign page

• Tag posts with #SaveTheMantas

All images will become part of a powerful visual mural at the CITES CoP20 conference, sending delegates a clear message: the world is watching.

“This isn’t just about conservation. It’s about survival,” said Muhammad G Salim (Egin), who leads the Mobula Project Indonesia, an affiliate project of the Manta Trust.

While an Appendix I uplisting won’t solve every challenge, it’s a crucial step, one that could give mobulids a real fighting chance.

Join the campaign. Share your voice. #SaveTheMantas

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Contact: Jasmine Corbett
Manta Trust Media and Communications Manager
Email: jasmine.corbett@mantatrust.org

Press Release Credits

Written by: Jasmine Corbett
Images: Photographer’s credit below images – ensure that credit is given if images are used

About the Manta Trust

The Manta Trust is a UK-registered marine conservation charity dedicated to the research and protection of manta and devil rays and their habitats. Through research, education, and collaboration, the Manta Trust works to ensure a sustainable future for these extraordinary creatures.