Research Priorities to Support Effective Manta and Devil Ray Conservation

September 2018

Joshua D. Stewart, Fabrice R. A. Jaine, Amelia J. Armstrong, Asia O. Armstrong, Michael B. Bennett, Katherine B. Burgess, Lydie I. E. Couturier, Donald A. Croll, Melissa R. Cronin, Mark H. Deakos, Christine L. Dudgeon, Daniel Fernando, Niv Froman, Elitza S. Germanov, Martin A. Hall, Silvia Hinojosa-Alvarez, Jane E. Hosegood, Tom Kashiwagi, Betty J. L. Laglbauer, Nerea Lezama-Ochoa, Andrea D. Marshall, Frazer McGregor, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Marta D. Palacios, Lauren R. Peel, Anthony J. Richardson, Robert D. Rubin, Kathy A. Townsend, Stephanie K. Venables & Guy M. W. Stevens

Keywords: Manta • Mobula • Devil Ray • Elasmobranch • Management

Summary: Manta and devil rays are filter-feeding elasmobranchs found in tropical waters. Research on these species has increased due to concerns about their populations and exploitation. However, there are still major gaps in knowledge hindering effective management and conservation. Experts have identified key areas for research, hoping to stimulate future studies and improve understanding of these vulnerable species.

Abstract

“Manta and devil rays are filter-feeding elasmobranchs that are found circumglobally in tropical and subtropical waters. Although relatively understudied for most of the Twentieth century, public awareness and scientific research on these species has increased dramatically in recent years. Much of this attention has been in response to targeted fisheries, international trade in mobulid products, and a growing concern over the fate of exploited populations. Despite progress in mobulid research, major knowledge gaps still exist, hindering the development of effective management and conservation strategies. We assembled 30 leaders and emerging experts in the fields of mobulid biology, ecology, and conservation to identify pressing knowledge gaps that must be filled to facilitate improved science-based management of these vulnerable species. We highlight focal research topics in the subject areas of taxonomy and diversity, life history, reproduction and nursery areas, population trends, bycatch and fisheries, spatial dynamics and movements, foraging and diving, pollution and contaminants, and sub-lethal impacts. Mobulid rays remain a poorly studied group, and therefore our list of important knowledge gaps is extensive. However, we hope that this identification of high priority knowledge gaps will stimulate and focus future mobulid research.”

Author Affiliations

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography

  • The Manta Trust

  • Sydney Institute of Marine Science

  • Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University

  • School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland

  • Marine Megafauna Foundation

  • Université de Brest

  • Coastal Conservation Action Lab, University of California

  • Hawaii Association of Marine Education and Research

  • Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University

  • Blue Resources Trust

  • Murdoch University

  • Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission

  • Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Barcelona

  • Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory, Bangor University

  • Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

  • Okeanos Research Centre of the University of the Azores

  • AZTI - Tecnalia Marine Research Divison

  • Tethys Research Institute

  • Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CICIMAR)

  • The School of Biological Sciences and the Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia

  • Save Our Seas Foundation –D'Arros Research Centre

  • The Australian Institute of Marine Science

  • Centre for Applications in Natural Resource Mathematics (CARM), School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland

  • CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere

  • Pacific Manta Research Group

  • School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast

Funded by

  • NOAA ONMS Nancy Foster Scholarship

  • Laboratoire d'Excellence LabexMER

  • Bruce & Betty Green Scholarship

  • Australian Research Council

  • Natural Environment Research Council CASE studentship through the ENVISION DTP (CASE partner - Royal Zoological Society of Scotland)

  • Save Our Seas Foundation

  • People's Trust for Endangered Species

  • Fisheries Society of the British Isles

  • Genetics Society

  • Australian Postgraduate Award

  • Murdoch International Top-Up

  • Ocean Park Conservation Foundation

  • Fortuna Foundation

  • PADI Foundation

  • Idea Wild

  • Manta Trust