Manta Ray of Hope Racing to Save Manta Rays

Manta and Mobula Rays Slow reproduction  highly vulnerable – Mature 10 to 20 years; 1 pup every 1 to 5 years Social and intelligent – large brains Two identified species of manta ray – Birostris (Oceanic) & Alfredi (Reef) 9 known species of mobula rays Filter feeders Global distribution Aggregations easily targeted 2 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Fisheries: Hunted for their gills TARGETED: Subsistence, local fisheries  commercial export operations BYCATCH: Global problem – net, trawl, longline Gill raker trade – primary driver for fisheries Targeted fisheries have declined or collapsed Fisheries © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Demand: Gill Raker Trade Marketed as a health tonic in Asia One small part of the ray is valuable Exploited by shark fin trade networks Largely undocumented and unregulated Increased demand -> decreasing supply-> driving up prices 4 Demand

Awareness: Critical to escalate Largely ignored by policy makers General public unaware of exploitation of manta and mobula rays Consumers not aware gill rakers come from manta and mobula rays Even most researchers and conservation groups don’t realize the scale of the trade and its impacts Awareness © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Protection: Lacking No international protection – FAO IPOA – Sharks: Limited implementation – CITES: Insufficient data has stalled proposals – CMS: Ecuador proposed Manta birostris Few regional or national laws in place No laws regulating trade in consumer markets. 6 Protection

Time is running out We must act now!

Manta Ray of Hope: History 2002: Dewar documents new, growing fishery in Lamakera, Indonesia 2009: Manta Ray of Hope team preliminary investigations 2011: Manta Ray of Hope project launches – Top notch team and advisors – Comprehensive 3 phase campaign 8 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Manta Ray of Hope Project Goals: Secure legal protections for mantas and mobulas Education, alternatives to ensure effectiveness Components: In depth investigation -> comprehensive report & compelling media Use to drive protection campaigns – Consumption and trade – Range state protections 9 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Findings: Fisheries Documented global landings of mobulids – Mantas ~3,900 – Mobulas ~91,000 – Lack of reporting - may be much higher Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Peru - largest Collapsing populations 10 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Findings: Markets Guangzhou, China – up to 99% of the market Annual gill raker trade volume ~ 38,000 kg to 80,000 kg Estimated value ~ US$ 7 to 14.7 million /yr Rising costs and scarce supply Manta birostris gills - up to US$ 500/kg 11 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Findings: Consumption Old folk remedy, had mostly disappeared New demand created playing off disease outbreaks like SARS Not steeped in tradition or ‘prestigious’ Not popular with young generation Name “fish gills” No association to mantas and mobulas 12 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Findings: Medicinal claims Sellers make a range of medicinal claims Gill raker remedy “Peng Yu Sai” NOT listed in official Traditional Chinese Medicine reference No evidence of effectiveness TCM practitioners: – No TCM references – Many alternatives 13 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Findings: Eco-tourism A sustainable economic alternative Survey – mantas #1 or 2 attraction for divers Tourism revenue from just 7 locations: ~ US$ 50 million per year “Million dollar manta” Estimated lifetime value: – Yap: US$ 1.8 million – Kona, Hawaii: US$ 1 million 14 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Campaigns: Consumption and Trade Seek trade bans – China, the #1 priority – Hong Kong and Singapore Consumer education – making the connection – Consumers need to understand impact of gill- raker consumption on ray populations 15 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Campaigns: International Laws Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) Shark Fin trade legislation Regional Fishery Management Organizations Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 16 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Campaigns: Range states Establish sanctuaries and trade bans – Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Peru Community Education Economic Alternatives  Eco-tourism Enforcement 17 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

How can you help? Donate to Manta Ray of Hope Fundraise Spread the word Support manta ray ecotourism! 18 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Many Thanks Silvercrest Foundation, Hrothgar Investments, private donors Shark Savers WildAid Scientific advisors and contributors Dive operators WildAid 19 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope

Thank you for your time! 20 © 2011 Manta Ray of Hope