Manta rays are large, intelligent filter feeders facing threats from targeted fishing for gill plate trade, entanglement in fishing gear, and poorly managed dive tourism.
Manta rays have long been targeted for their gill plates, used in Chinese traditional medicine despite no proven efficacy. They are highly vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear, particularly gillnets, and often cannot surface to breathe when tangled. Poorly managed dive tourism can disrupt feeding, mating, and cleaning station behaviors. Mantas show signs of stress including altered swimming patterns when closely approached. Their slow reproduction means populations take decades to recover from exploitation. Satellite tagging studies show they travel vast distances, making single-country protection insufficient.