Whether by tracking them with acoustic tags or flying drones, or through exposing the black market for their meat and parts, conservationists are determined to protect the magnificent rays of the Pacific.
Mobulas, also known as devil rays, are large, acrobatic rays found in the Gulf of California and the eastern Pacific Ocean. They are at risk of extinction due to targeted fishing, bycatch, and climate change. Of the nine species, seven are endangered, and two are vulnerable according to the IUCN. Biologists are studying their habitats, populations, and the impact of fishing, including their use in traditional medicine, which lacks scientific evidence. Despite CITES regulations, demand for their meat and parts persists, particularly in Asia, threatening their survival.
