What does a CITES Appendix I Uplisting mean?
Why Manta & Devil Rays Need Urgent Protection
Slow to Reproduce. Easy to Overfish. Rapidly Declining.
Manta and devil rays grow slowly, take 10+ years to mature, and have just one pup every few years. They gather in predictable places, making them easy targets for fishing. Despite current protections, all species are threatened, and populations are still declining by over 90% in some areas.
Trade is Driving Overfishing
Gill Plates & Meat Are in High Demand.
Manta and devil rays are killed primarily for their gill plates, sold as a pseudo-traditional medicine in Asian markets, and for their meat. The international trade, much of it illegal or unreported, continues to grow and fuels unsustainable fishing, even in countries with protections in place.
Appendix I Curbs International Trade
Full Commercial Trade Ban = Better Enforcement & Real Impact.
An uplisting to CITES Appendix I bans all international commercial trade in manta and devil rays and their parts. This cuts off the biggest driver of overfishing, simplifies enforcement, and makes it easier to track and shut down illegal markets — a crucial step toward population recovery.
Our Advocates
Meet the voices behind the movement.
From passionate advocates to public figures, our growing wave of supporters is helping to power the #SaveTheMantas campaign. Will you stand with them?
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM OUR ADVOCATES
show YOUR SUPPORT
You can directly support our work and show your support to the world by buying a Save The Mantas t-shirt! All funds raised by Manta Trust from the sale of the t-shirts will be used to further our CITES conservation policy work.
Tag your posts with #SaveTheMantas to show the world that these rays are not just worth protecting — they’re worth fighting for.
Together, our voices can help drive the change manta and devil rays desperately need.
Together We Can Make a Difference
Your donation fuels the Manta Trust's Fisheries and Conservation Policy Programme and their critical efforts to protect manta and devil rays worldwide. Our team pledges to pursue legal protections for manta and devil rays, to improve their enforcement, to research mitigation measures to reduce bycatch and to bring us closer to saving manta and devil rays from extinction.
KEY MOMENTS ON THE ROAD TO PROTECTION
1 JULY 2025
#SAVETHEMANTAS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
The campaign officially begins! With the launch of #SaveTheMantas, we’re mobilising a global community to stand up for manta and devil rays. Through powerful visuals, public outreach, and strategic advocacy, we’re building momentum in the lead-up to CITES CoP20, where international protection for these species will be on the line.
17 SEPTEMBER 2025
WORLD MANTA DAY
This year’s World Manta Day carries the theme “The Power of Protection”. It’s a global moment to spotlight the urgent need for stronger safeguards for manta and devil rays. Expect a wave of awareness actions, campaign activations, and inspiring content as we rally voices around the world to demand lasting protection.
24 NOVEMBER - 05 DECEMBER 2025
CITES CoP20 - UZBEKISTAN
The critical decision point. During these two weeks, governments will meet at CITES CoP20 to vote on the uplisting of all manta and devil rays to Appendix I. This is our chance to help secure a global ban on the international trade of these species — a major step toward preventing extinction and ensuring their future in our oceans.
IN THE PRESS
Media enquiries
Please e-mail us if you have a media enquiry. E-mails will be forwarded to our media & communications team.
