Mantas and Mobula Rays on red list now

Just when I thought I never wanted to see a manta again, I may have to change my mind:

IUCN list now includes mantas and other rays

Just when I thought I never wanted to see a manta again,

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I didn't see one today...but i did see some yesterday, and i will again tomorrow...

I never get sick of em...

Wow, that is big news to see they are on the way to being a protected species in some places. Thats great.

It is incredible to see how many of these critters are slaughtered as bycatch...

Tell ya what Drew, i will let you sleep on my couch in Feb if you want to see 30 having a big group shag....

M

It now means that you can enter your manta shots in the Endangered Wildlife category of the WPOTY competition, Mike.

Alex

Alex....I like you! Never thought of that angle

This is very good news. Does anyone know how effective an IUCN listing can be (in terms of generating support for CITES listing as an endangered species, for example?

As the report states, it's true that Indonesian fishermen still regularly take mantas. This is a big problem at Lamalera (West Flores), where the artisanal (traditional gear) sea hunters often take mantas when they can't get a small whale or dolphin - it's difficult to say which is worse. There is also an emerging export market to China for the gill rakers, which is a potentially devastating development.

The manta population in Komodo National Park is in pretty good shape, numbering about 100 individuals (though it's unclear if this is a quasi-permanent population or just the usual number). It's not uncommon to see mantas with broken off harpoon heads or other fishing gear. And the small resident group at Nusa Penida (near Bali) is there every day, and very friendly.

Frogfish

Manta under cliffs at Manta Point, Nusa Penida, Bali, taken with Magic Filter, November 2005.