Fisheries, trade, and conservation of manta and devil rays in Peru

December 2024

Stefany Rojas‑Perea, Nidhi G. D’Costa, Keny Kanagusuku, Rosario Escobedo, Frida Rodríguez, Alejandra Mendoza, Rossana Maguiño, Renan Flores, Betty J. L. Laglbauer, Guy M. W. Stevens, Shaleyla Kelez

Keywords: Mobula • Bycatch • Small-scale fisheries • Landings • Interviews

Summary: The Mobulidae family, comprising nine manta and devil ray species, includes five found in Peruvian waters. This study examined mobulid ray landings and trade in Peru through historical data, site monitoring, and interviews with fishers and traders. Between 2000 and 2023, 7444.9 tons of mobulids were recorded, with annual landings averaging 11,520 individuals between 2013 and 2023. However, a 75.05% decline was observed compared to 2000–2012. Despite legal protections, including full protection since 2016, mobulids remain heavily exploited, necessitating urgent fisheries management to conserve these globally threatened species.

Abstract

“The Mobulidae family comprises nine extant manta and devil ray (mobulid) species in the monogeneric genus Mobula, of which fve occur in Peruvian waters. In this study, we assessed mobulid ray landings and trade along the coast of Peru by analysing historical captures, monitoring landing sites, and conducting interviews with fshers (n=37) and traders (n=21). A total of 7444.9 tons of mobulids were reported from 2000 to the end of 2023 in artisanal fsheries through data collected by the Marine Institute of Peru. Between 2013 and 2023, mean yearly mobulid ray landings for northern Peru were approximately 11,520 individuals (7414  M. munki‑ ana, 3126 M. mobular, and 981 M. thurstoni) based on species-specifc estimates of weight at maturity. This ranks Peru among the top mobulid fsheries globally. Of great concern was a 75.05% decline in mobulid ray landings between 2013 and 2023 relative to 2000–2012. Additionally, six key mobulid landing sites in the Tumbes and Piura region were monitored between April 2017 and February 2019, sampling 257 mobulid ray specimens for detailed morphometric data. In these surveys, the most abundant species was M. mobular (n=156, 60.7%), followed by M. thurstoni (n=47, 18.3%), M. munkiana (n=24, 9.3%), and M. birostris (n=4, 1.6%). Interviews suggest the highest mobulid landings occur during the warm season (December to May). Although M. birostris has been protected in Peruvian waters since 2016, and recent legislation extends protection to all mobulid species, this study reinforces that all mobulid species are globally threatened. Therefore, the large number of mobulid rays landed in Peru annually is a major concern and requires urgent attention by fsheries management authorities to determine the necessary regulations required to conserve these highly vulnerable species.”

Author Affiliations

  • The Manta Trust

  • Área de Laboratorio de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Científca del Sur, Lima

  • Carrera de Biología Marina, Universidad Científca del Sur

  • Ministerio del Ambiente, Peru

  • ecOceánica

  • Asociación Peruana de Astrobiología

  • Instituto de Educación Superior Tecnológico Público Contralmirante Manuel Villar Olivera

Funding

  • Shark Conservation Fund

  • ecOceanica

  • The Manta Trust

  • Ministry of the Environment of Peru

  • Universidad Científca del Sur