Help save India's manta and devil rays

In recent years, a market for manta and devil ray gill plates has emerged, marketed as a medicinal tonic. These gill plates, used by manta and devil rays to filter zooplankton, are claimed to detoxify and purify the body, but there is no scientific evidence supporting these claims. The demand for gill plates, falsely marketed as a traditional remedy, has led to overfishing, causing reef mantas to be listed as 'Vulnerable' and oceanic mantas to be listed as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List.

India has been identified as one of the top source countries supplying gill plates to fulfil international gill plate demand. Manta and devil ray meat is also consumed locally, and daily catches are reportedly high in some areas. Despite being a globally prominent source country, there is little clarity on the status of the mobulid fisheries, trade and its drivers in India. Consequently, policy measures and recommendations have little evidential standing for these poorly studied species. 

In 2023 Mayuri Chopra started conducting a vital fisheries and trade assessment in India as part of her PhD with the support of the Manta Trust and in 2024 officially took on the role of Project Leader for the India Mobulid Project.

The India Mobulid Project aims to generate knowledge and develop an understanding of the data poor mobulid fisheries in India. This will inform interventions to improve the welfare of fisheries-dependent communities while ensuring a sustainable future for mobulid populations.

The India Mobulid Project has the following objectives: 

1. There are more protective policies to support mobulid conservation in India.

2. There is improved enforcement of existing protective policies in India

3. Mobulids are a lower target priority for Indian fishers

4. Indian fishers are working towards measure to reduce bycatch of mobulids

5. Regulations and effective enforcement exist to reduce mobulid bycatch mortality

6. More people (a diverse range of individuals) local to our initiatives play an active role in the design and implementation of these initiatives

7. A greater diversity of people in India seek careers in the marine conservation sector.

Help support Mayuri and the India Mobulid Project by donating to our fundraiser. We are raising funds to support this crucial fieldwork on India's east coast, which will provide essential insights into the status of manta and devil ray species in the region. Your contribution will aid in fostering a sustainable future for these species and the local fishing communities. Donate today and make a difference!