Global Manta Conservation

Manta rays have been fished in places such as Indonesia for many years.  The gill rakers of the manta rays are sent to China and sold in markets.  The gill raker trade was wiping out manta populations.  In 2013, the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) placed both manta ray species on Appendix II.  This means that manta parts can not be traded between countries unless those countries can show that trade is not detrimental to the species survival. This resulted in a manta sanctuary in Indonesia.  The transition away from manta fisheries is still underway.

 

CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

 

Aim of CITES: To ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

 

CITES Appendices:

Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

 

Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival.

 

Importance of 2013 CITES: Manta convservation in areas of the world where manta rays were being fished to possible extinction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Manta Research

Exciting global research is being conducted by manta scientists such as Dr. Csilla Ari from University of South Florida and Manta Pacific Research Foundation.  If you are interested to know more about this research, click on the links for more detailed information.  

 

Note: This information is not included in the quizzes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Directions:

• GO to Laulima and log in with your user name and password.  

 

• Go to the Manta Naturalist Course site in your account.

 

• Then, go to the "Tests and Quizzes" link on the left side panel.  

 

• When ready, go to Module Two Quiz in the 'Test and Quizzes' section of Laulima.  This quiz is worth 30 points and can only be taken once.  

 

• After you have completed Module Two Quiz, please return to this website and start Module Three.