Global assessment of manta and devil ray gill plate and meat trade: conservation implications and opportunities

December 2024

Marta D. Palacios, Laura Weiand, Betty Laglbauer, Melissa R. Cronin, Sarah Fowler, Rima W. Jabado, Thanda Ko Gyi, Daniel Fernando, Godefroy De Bruyne, Stanley K. H. Shea, Paul Hilton , Yi-Li Gao, Guy M. W. Stevens

Keywords: Mobulid • CITES • Policy • Fisheries • Mobula

Summary: Mobulid rays, including manta and devil rays, are among the most endangered elasmobranch species due to heavy fishing driven by demand for their meat and gill plates. A global study across 75 countries found mobulid meat is eaten locally in 35 countries and exported to five major markets. Gill plates, harvested for traditional remedies, are exported from 14 countries in Asia and Africa. Prices vary widely, and while physical trade has declined in some areas, online sales have increased. The study emphasises the urgent need for better fishing regulations and enforcement to protect these vulnerable species.

Abstract

“Due to overexploitation in fisheries partly driven by international trade demand, mobulid rays are among the most threatened of elasmobranch families.. We conducted a global assessment of the state of manta and devil ray trade employing expert elicitation through country-focused online surveys (n=109) and interviews (n=21), along with analysis of the FAO Total Production and CITES Trade databases, and online trade and physical store surveys in China and Hong Kong SAR. Findings across 75 countries reveal significant mobulid landings in 43 countries. Globally, mobulid meat is consumed locally in at least 35 countries and exported from ten, with five major destination countries. Gill plates are extracted in 14 countries and exported from at least 14 across Asia and Africa, with five major destination countries in Asia. Meat and gill plate prices ranged between 0.24 – 10 and 4.8 – 33 1260 USD/kg respectively, depending on country and product form. Physical retailers of gill plates declined in Guangzhou and Hong Kong SAR in the past decade, while online retailers increased, but overall, the total number of retailers rose from 41 to 135 between 2011–2023. By linking country-specific mobulid management data to their roles in the meat and gill plate trade, price ranges, consumption patterns, and landing data, we ranked 75 countries from highest to lowest impact upon mobulid populations, identifying 14 as high-priority. Findings highlight the need for improved capacity-building in fisheries management and stronger enforcement aimed collectively at reversing the current unsustainable consumption and trade of mobulids.”

Infographic

Infographic byJasmine Corbett

Author Affiliations

  • The Manta Trust

  • Mobula Conservation, Mexico

  • Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment

  • Save Our Seas Foundation

  • Elasmo Project

  • James Cook University

  • Myanmar Ocean Project

  • Blue Resources Trust

  • Wildlife Conservation Society, Gabon

  • The ADM Capital Foundation Ltd

  • BLOOM Association

  • Ningbo Key Laboratory of Agricultural Germplasm Resources Mining and Environmental Regulation

Funding

  • Shark Conservation Fund

  • Wildlife Conservation Society

  • Waterloo Foundation

  • Berman Foundation

  • The Manta Trust