![]() ![]() Harvest for International Tradeĭemand for the gills of manta and other mobula rays has risen dramatically in Asian markets. Also, measures to address bycatch of the species in industrial fisheries are rare. Giant manta rays are both targeted and caught as bycatch in a number of global fisheries throughout their range, and are most susceptible to industrial purse-seine and artisanal gillnet fisheries.Įfforts to address overutilization of the species through current regulatory measures are inadequate, as targeted fishing of the species still occurs despite prohibitions in a significant portion of the species’ range. The most significant threat to the giant manta ray is overutilization for commercial purposes. This diving behavior may be influenced by season and shifts in prey location associated with the thermocline. However, tagging studies have also shown that the species conducts dives of up to 200 to 450 meters and is capable of diving to depths exceeding 1,000 meters. During feeding, giant manta rays may be found aggregating in shallow waters at depths less than 10 meters. Giant manta rays also appear to exhibit a high degree of plasticity or variation in terms of their use of depths within their habitat. Manta rays use many different types of feeding strategies, such as barrel rolling (doing somersaults over and over again) and creating feeding chains with other mantas to maximize prey intake. When feeding, mantas hold their cephalic fins in an “O” shape and open their mouths wide, creating a funnel that pushes water and prey through their mouth and over their gill rakers. Manta rays primarily feed on planktonic organisms such as euphausiids, copepods, mysids, decapod larvae, and shrimp, but some studies have noted their consumption of small and moderately sized fish as well. The timing of these visits varies by region and seems to correspond with the movement of zooplankton, current circulation and tidal patterns, seasonal upwelling, seawater temperature, and possibly mating behavior.Īlthough the giant manta ray tends to be solitary, they aggregate at cleaning sites and to feed and mate. Get the latest news in our Twitter or Facebook accounts.The giant manta ray is a migratory species and seasonal visitor along productive coastlines with regular upwelling, in oceanic island groups, and near offshore pinnacles and seamounts. The British Embassy has supported this initiative for three years. Through scientific investigation, the aim of ‘Proyecto Mantas Ecuador’ is to raise awareness among public institutions, local communities and the general public on the importance of preserving the species and therefore providing a sustainable livelihood for communities living near them. Additionally, the revenues generated by this practice are insignificant compared to what Manta Rays mean in terms of tourism. Dr Marshall explained that this is a highly unsustainable practice. However, this species is threatened by lack of conservation policies elsewhere in the world – they are a migratory species – and also by a huge demand of a medical product made with Manta Ray gills, the efficiency of which has not been proven, which is sold primarily in Chinese markets. ![]() Other projects elsewhere in the world, some going on for up to three decades, have not surpassed 350.Įcuador has led efforts by several international bodies like CITES and CMS to protect Manta Rays, and they are protected by national laws. More than 1000 manta rays have been identified here in just four years. This place has, in the season from June to September, the largest aggregation of this species in the entire world. According to Dr Andrea Marshall, Isla de la Plata, a small island off the coast of Manabi province, should be known as the Giant Manta Ray capital of the world. This was organised by ‘Proyecto Mantas Ecuador’ and sponsored by the Embassy. Some members of the media also had the chance to swim with Giant Mantas on 28 August. Dr Andrea Marshall, the world’s leading expert on manta rays, gave a conference about the importance of the conservation of this species. ![]()
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