Conservationists are determined to protect the magnificent rays of the Pacific—whether that’s tracking them with acoustic tags or flying drones, or through exposing the black market for their meat and parts.
Mobulas, large rays also known as devil rays, are under threat in the Gulf of California and the eastern Pacific Ocean. These species, known for their acrobatic leaps, face dangers from targeted fishing, being caught as bycatch, and climate change. According to the IUCN, seven of the nine mobula species are endangered, and two are vulnerable. Their slow reproductive rates, taking five to ten years to mature and having long gestation periods, exacerbate their vulnerability. Conservation efforts include tracking them with acoustic devices to understand their habits better. Despite measures like CITES regulation, the demand for their parts, particularly in Asia, continues to pose a significant threat to their survival.
