Conservation Programs
at Manta Pacific Research Foundation

Manta Ray gill plates dry in the sun

Currently, thousands of manta rays are being slaughtered by fishermen in Lamakera, Indonesia; Visayas, Philippines; Bohol, Philippines and Mexico for food and to supply a market for dried brachial elements (dried gill plates) in Asia.

The demand for dried brachial elements has changed the Indonesian fishery from a subsistence fishery using harpoons from homemade wooden boats powered by paddles and sails woven from palm fronds that only caught 200-300 mantas per year, to a commercial fishery catching between 1,000 and 2,400 mantas per year using motorboats. In 2002, the Indonesian fishermen only grossed about $150 for each manta, which can weight upwards of one ton. The skin is sent to Jakarta where it is used in the production of shoes and wallets. The dried gill plates are sent to Asia where they are used in traditional medicines. The dried gill plates from one manta bring 1,400,000 Rupia (~140 US$) dried skin 60,000 Rupia (6US$). Even the meat, which used to be consumed in the village, is sold locally. A bundle of 20 dried rings of meat are sold for 35,000-40,000 Rupia (Dewar, 2002).

In Indonesia, the fishing started from a traditional subsistence fishery for manta rays on two islands. Now, these islands have lost their traditional means of subsistence because the manta rays have been fished out in their local area. They must expand their reach now.

Conservation goes hand-in-hand with research and education. Without the knowledge of the animals’ life history and home range you don’t know what or how you can conserve them. Without educating the populous and legislature, no conservation efforts can be put in place.

Current Projects:

• ongoing Research to determine critical manta ray habitat

Past Projects:

• Promote passage of Bills HB366 and SB394 in the Hawaiian State Legislature in 2009
• Collecedt signatures on our Petition to protect manta rays
• Promote passage of House Resolution 30 in the Hawaiian State Legislature in 2006
• Promote passage of House Bill 960 in the Hawaiian State Legislature in 2005
• In 2004, Contributed to adding manta birostris to the 2005 IUCN Red List