Manta Ray Welfare and Gill Raker Trade

Manta rays are targeted by fisheries for their gill rakers used in traditional medicine, causing population declines and significant individual suffering.

Key Facts

Both oceanic and reef manta ray species are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List
Gill rakers — the filter-feeding structures of manta rays — are sold in China as a purported health tonic
No scientific evidence supports the medicinal value of manta ray gill rakers
A single manta ray can fetch $500 for its gill rakers but $1 million over a lifetime in dive tourism
Manta rays reproduce very slowly — females give birth to a single pup every 2-3 years
Entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes are the other major mortality sources
Indonesia, Philippines, and the Maldives have established manta ray sanctuaries protecting their entire waters
Manta rays visit cleaning stations where small fish remove parasites — social behaviour suggesting cognitive complexity

Welfare Considerations

Manta ray capture causes acute stress and injury in animals adapted to open-ocean cruising. Gill net entanglement results in progressive exhaustion, tissue damage, and drowning for air-breathing sharks, while for manta rays it results in gill raker damage and physical injury as animals struggle. The targeted gill raker trade creates a demand signal that drives dedicated manta fisheries in unprotected waters. Welfare and conservation interests align clearly: manta rays alive in healthy reef systems generate substantial and sustained ecotourism revenue while dead manta rays yield one-time, low-value gill raker income. Economic incentive alignment through manta tourism development is among the most effective conservation welfare interventions documented.

What You Can Do

Support Manta Trust conservation programmes and population monitoring
Choose dive and snorkel operators who follow manta ray encounter guidelines (no touching, safe distances)
Avoid purchasing any traditional medicine products containing manta or mobula ray gill rakers
Advocate for manta ray protection in international fisheries agreements such as CITES
Donate to reef manta sanctuary establishment in key feeding and cleaning sites
Share evidence debunking medicinal claims for gill rakers to reduce consumer demand