Wild Manta Ray Gill Plate Trade and Welfare

Manta rays are threatened by targeted hunting for their gill plates used in traditional Chinese medicine, despite a lack of scientific evidence for any medicinal benefit.

Key Facts

Both oceanic and reef manta ray species are listed as Vulnerable or Endangered by the IUCN
Manta rays are killed primarily for their gill rakers, used in a traditional remedy called peng yu sai
Gill plate harvest has no demonstrated medicinal benefit; demand is driven by marketing as a health tonic
Manta ray populations recover slowly because females give birth to only one pup every two to three years
Manta rays are among the most cognitively complex fish, showing evidence of self-recognition in mirror tests
CITES Appendix II listing restricts but does not eliminate international manta ray trade
Indonesia, the Maldives, and several other countries have declared manta ray sanctuaries

Welfare Considerations

Manta rays are killed for a product with no scientific medical value, making their welfare costs entirely unnecessary. Hunting methods including harpoons and nets cause acute suffering. Manta rays demonstrate remarkable cognitive abilities — including apparent self-recognition — suggesting meaningful welfare interests. Population recovery from hunting pressure is extremely slow given low reproductive rates, meaning individual losses have long-lasting population-level consequences. Reducing demand for gill plates through education and market campaigns has proven effective in some regions.

What You Can Do

Never purchase or consume products containing manta ray gill plates
Support organizations working to reduce demand for manta ray products in Asian markets
Advocate for CITES Appendix I uplisting to ban all international manta ray trade
Support manta ray sanctuary designations in key habitat countries
Choose responsible dive operators that follow manta ray interaction guidelines
Report suspected manta ray trade to wildlife crime authorities