It was through a combination of legal petitioning, research and dedicated public support that Defenders was able to improve protection for this species.Giant oceanic manta rays, like sharks, do not have a solid skeleton but bones consisting of flexible cartilage. Managing pollution will help prevent giant manta rays from accidentally ingesting microplastics.Īddressing the giant manta ray’s population threats is a continuous process but one in which we can all collectively make an impact. For an activity closer to home, try to see if you can participate in ocean pollution clean-up events near you. Fishing gear should always be properly stored and boat speeds should be regulated to avoid wildlife collisions. Physical contact from divers disrupts their protective layer of mucous and can cause painful skin lesions - with repeated physical contact the extent of this skin damage can quickly worsen. Divers should always set an example for others by maintaining proper distance. If you participate in giant manta ray tourism, please keep a safe distance from these animals to prevent disturbing them. What they do know is that ocean-based threats are proliferating at a dangerously fast rate and we need to protect the health of entire oceanic ecosystems to preserve reef habitats that the giant manta ray species depends on.ĭivers, recreationists and tourists can all play a role in these recovery efforts. Researchers still have a lot to learn about how to best protect giant manta ray populations and habitat. This included investigating giant manta ray bycatch to design methods for safe release and supporting international efforts to identify areas of fisheries overlap. That same year, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) developed a conservation guidance outline to help implement new management recommendations. In a victory for the future of this species, the National Marine Fisheries Service announced their decision in 2018 to officially list the species as threatened. With indications that population numbers were dwindling, combined with their low reproductive rate, Defenders of Wildlife submitted a petition in 2015 to the National Marine Fisheries Service to protect the giant manta ray under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). ![]() The potential for threats to cause cascading declines in the giant manta ray species is incredibly high - a single manta ray only gives birth to a one offspring every two to three years. When industrial fishing boats drag nets behind them to indiscriminately capture fish, animals like giant manta rays can easily become entangled and die. ![]() This commercial demand has combined with bycatch mortality from ocean fisheries. False claims that giant manta ray gills plates detoxify human blood have created a booming market, where sellers can earn up to $300 a pound for gill plates. ![]() As a result, the coral reef systems, where these rays gather to feast on masses of plankton and reproduce, are disappearing. Increasing CO2 quantities and temperature levels are changing the chemistry of the ocean. In fact, we are the ones threatening them with climate change, unsustainable fishing for their gill plates and habitat loss. The giant manta ray’s massive size may seem frightening but as gentle filter feeders they pose little threat to us.
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