Conservation of Manta Rays

Yusuf Jati Wijaya*1; Faisal Kahfi Aliyubi*1and Hanityo Adi Nugroho2

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Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries of Marine Science, Diponegoro University

Jl. Prof. H. Sudarto, SH., Tembalang, Semarang, 50275

e-mail: yusufjatiwijaya@gmail.com, icaang@yahoo.com, hanityonugroho@gmail.com

Abstract
Manta rays is an endangered species and included in Appendix II of CITES and also
included in the IUCN Red List categories of Vulnerable. Manta Genus divided into two
species, namely Manta Alfredii (manta that live in shallow water/ coral reef) and Manta
birostris (manta that live in the ocean/ oceanic) were very similar at a glance. Conservation
manta rays must involve cooperation among countries, because of their migratory cycle is
already cross country waters. Every country where became distribution and migration places
of Manta Rays should make a special rules for preserve the population. Knowing the location
of the distribution and migration of Manta Rays, the strategic conservation area can be
determined and will become one of the alternatives in this issue. Regulations are also needed
to assist and achieve the goal of a conservation area.
Key words : Manta alfredii, Manta birostris, distribution, migration, conservation

I.

INTRODUCTION
Manta rays (Manta sp.) are amongst the largest filter-feeding elasmobranch fishes and
have a circumglobal distribution through tropical and temperate coastal waters, offshore
islands and seamounts (Marshall et al, 2009).Manta with taxonomic name Birostris and
Alfredi are species that belong in the category of vulnerable (IUCN, 2015). The emergence of
a manta ray influenced by many factors, such as; water temperature (Dewar et al., 2008), the
fertility waters affected by season (Luiz et al., 2009), tidal influenced by phases of the moon,
and even human activities such as fisheries and marine tourism.
The giant manta ray (Manta birostris) is a monogeneric species in the Family
Mobulidae that consists of the devil rays. The giant manta is the largest of all rays reaching a
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disc width of up to 6.7 m and 1,400 kg weight (Last and Stevens 1994). Manta rays M.
alfrediare a conspicuous and charismatic component of tropical marine ecosystems. They are
fished throughout much of their range (Notobartolo-di-Sciara and Hillyer, 1989; Homma et
al., 1999; White et al., 2006). Several local populations have been particularly heavily
exploited (Camhi et al., 1998; Ishihara, 2005). A lot of previous research talk about manta
rays, the aim is to determine the distribution pattern, the pattern of life and its impact on
tourism.

Figure 1. The different between M. alfredi and M. bistrosis.

Source : Sadili et al (2015)

II.
2.1.

DISCUSSION
Conservation Problems
Issues about the manta rays, which is still a lot happening is trading practices gills for

export to China. It certainly has threatened the population of manta rays in Indonesia,
compounded by a low reproduction rate further reduce the population. In 2014 KKP issue a
ministerial decree No. 04 of 2014 concerning the protection status of the reef manta rays
(manta Alfredi) and oceanic manta (Manta birostris). Determination of these regulations
based on several considerations such as:
1. The population is threatened because of arrests carried out by fishermen to take
their gills.
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2. The species which consists of only two species that Alfredi and manta manta
birostris.
3. The level of low reproduction that can only have children at the age of 10 years, the
birth rate of approximately 1 fish per 5 years and in one litter produces only 1-2
tail only.
4. Manta rays are fish species that migrate between countries and some countries have
established a manta ray as a protected fish.
5. Have many enormous potential as a maritime tourist attraction.
Many methods are used to determine the conservation area for manta ray, Effective
establishment of marine protected areas for the conservation of species of concern depends
on a robust understanding of their spatio-temporal distribution. Models of the spatio-temporal
distribution of marine mega vertebrates may enable both site- based conservation, such as the
design and siting of marine protected areas, and the forecasting of climate change effects that
may inform future mitigation measures.
Manta Ray Conservation Index
Manta Rays Endangered

The larger Manta Ray is less likely to be

endangered due to the fact that they have
very few natural predators.

Manta Ray Hunting

In the early days, the Manta Ray was hunted

and killed so that the oils could be extracted
from the body.

Manta Ray Conservation Efforts

It isnt known how many Manta Rays are left

in the world. Due to their diverse habitat and
their ability to remain under water it is
extremely hard to estimate.

Manta Rays and Global Warming

Manta Rays are among the animals living in

the water that are affected by global
warming.

Source : http://www.mantaray-world.com/
a)

b)
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Figure 2. a) Distribution Map of Manta Alfredi, b) Distribution Map of Manta Birostris

(Marshall et al, 2015).
From Figure 1 can be seen that the distribution is more narrow than the M. alfredi and
M. birostris. So the conservation area for M. alfredi can be focused in the area of Southeast
Asia and northern Australia, but for M. birostris, many countries are responsible for making
conservation area.
Status granting full protection against manta rays issued by the Ministry of Maritime
Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia through Decree 4/2014 does need to be appreciated. In the
first dictum is mentioned that "Establishing fish Manta Rays consisting of birostris and Manta
Manta Alfredi as protected fish species with full protection status on the entire life cycle and /
or body parts". Keep in mind that the life cycles of manta rays also perform the migration
process has been through cross country.
Therefore for conservation should be cooperation between countries which become the
migration path so of manta rays protection is not only limited to providing a sense of security
in only one country. This is important because it would be concerned with the regulation
between countries. Is expected of this cooperation is the equation of regulations is among
countries because we must remember that the sea is a common properties.
Problems of manta ray in Indonesia are mostly hunting gills to be exported to many
countries one of them to China as the largest market to be used as medicine. The field
conservation is necessary, but it would be nice if the Indonesian government could also lobby
or agreements, for example with the Chinese government to be able to issue a regulation
banning imports from Indonesia gills of manta ray. In addition to China, this kind of
cooperation can also be done by some countries that may become an importer of Indonesian
manta ray. This is necessary so that conservation do not merely maintain the ecosystem. If
this could be done then of course demand gills manta ray are expected to be reduced because
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there is already a ban on the export destination countries and can achieve the purpose of
protection manta ray to the body parts.
2.2.

Threats
Manta ray fishing is major responsible for manta ray threat. In variety of fishing

method that exist, currently people can capture manta ray with many type of fishing gear such
as harpoon, net and trawl. Very easily methods to catching manta ray with fishing gear who
existed, while basically manta ray have large body and slow movement.
Manta ray have a high price in international fish market. Gill rakers from manta ray
body are particularly sought after and used in Asian medicinal products. Illegal fishing which
is currently targeting manta ray, it drive to unsustainable number of manta ray exploitation.
More than, 1000 manta rays are caught by illegal fishing with manta ray as a target in
some areas (Alava et al. 2002, Dewar 2002, White et al. 2006, Anderson et al. 2010).
Artisanal fisheries also target these species for food and local products (White et al. 2006,
Marshall et al. 2011). Aside from illegal fishing of Manta ray, in other case at large scale
fisheries activity and small netting program such as shark control bather protection nets are
also a threats for these fish as an incidentally caught or by-catch.
Besides manta ray sold as a fresh meat, medicine from those liver, and filter plates
taken of their gill rakers, Manta and Mobula spp are entering international trade and have
high prices in Asia where they are important to use in traditional Chinese medicine. In
Mexico, manta ray meat often used for attractant or bait to catching shark. Leather products
of manta ray have been verified. Furthermore, exploitation of manta ray as aquarium fish in
display tank can be found in many aquarium tanks, for example in the Georgia Aquarium, the
Atlantis Resort in Bahamas, and the Lisbon Aquarium.

2.3.

The Global Economic Impact of Manta Ray Watching Tourism.

In certain study for manta ray watching as locations tourism are widely distributed on

across 6 continent and numerous island nations, specifically occurring at approximately 200
different dive site which also called manta point (Figure 2). Counted in the 23 countries,
author estimated that over 1 million manta ray dives sites and snorkel sites per year. From the
internet research and surveys, author identified 386 operators that take divers and snorkelers
to manta point around countries, the websites study showed 319 of these operators (82.6 %),
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and sent surveys to 244 (63.2%). Ninety-four of the surveys were completed and returned (39
% response rate). To providing data addition on their operations, the dive operators who
responded in frequently are important by reporting additional operators who we had not
found through web research and filling in gaps data for necessary (OMalley et al, 2013).

Figure 3. Global Distribution and Direct Economic Impact (DEI) of manta watching tourism.
Source: OMalley et al (2013).

III. SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

In 2014 the Government through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the
Republic of Indonesia issued a policy of full protection of manta rays. The full protection
contained in Keputusan Menteri Kelautan dan Perikanan No. 4 Tahun 2014 Tentang
Penetapan Status Perlindungan Penuh Ikan Pari Manta. This is because in the last 10 years a
decrease in the number of manta rays can reach 30%. Government steps to make the
protection of manta rays can be rated as one of the serious steps to indicate its function to
protect the biodiversity of Indonesia. In accordance with those mentioned in section 2.1.
about the conservation issues manta ray, manta ray regulations regarding this should be
accompanied by a couple of things like the following.

1. Adjustment and Development Regulations.

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The application of a conservation policy cannot be generalized across an area.

Differences in culture, culture, customs and levels of violations should be the most
thought out. This is important because if the application of a rule in an area conservation
rigidly executed the potential to cause a new polemic. An example is the implementation
of regulations the conservation in Raja Ampat and Komodo Island is very different in its
application. But the government still should have the basic or common thread that can
still be monitored application.
Adjustment rules should not only be done in a country that was it. By Ministerial
Decree No. 4/2014 on the first dictum has been explained that the protection manta ray
covering the life cycle and its body parts. Cycles of manta ray in this case should be the
government's main focus is the area of the migration because later by knowing the area
of migration would be easier to carry out in situ conservation, that conservation of the
natural habitat that is considered harmful to the species. If this can be done it will be able
to open some opportunities for cooperation such as cross-country marine tourism, joint
research and protection of biodiversity.

2. Another alternative.
In applying a policy nature of conservation or ban the use of a particular species it
must be offset by other alternatives that do not turn off the role of a fisherman. For
example the utilization of manta rays in Larantuka and Tanjung Luar are taken the gills
to be exported to China and Taiwan have a high value. If this is prohibited, then the
emergence of a new polemic is inevitable between the society and government so that the
government should be able to provide other alternatives that can be utilized by
fishermen.
Although currently manta ray not included in the economically important fish, but
catching uncontrolled also worth noting. Manta rays is one including the fish species in
Appendix II CITES listing and also included in the IUCN red list by category Vulnerable
(Vulnerable). This will make it one fish species should receive the full attention of the
government. So far the government only focused on fish that are included in the
economically important fish so that the fish coming from outside the less economically
important to get attention. The government should be able to see the potential of a

species not only in economic terms alone, but other potential such as tourism, for the
purposes of research and the use of biotechnology.

3. Maximizing the role of related institutions in each region.

Indonesia by sea area like this would not be able to oversee the entire waters in full.
This is what should be the role and function of a government agency in the area to be
able to exercising their functions. Based on the first point where the Department of
Marine and Fisheries in Indonesia can actually be representative of the area. If you need,
any Department of Marine and Fisheries in every region in Indonesia has a special
regulation area but still in control of the government. For example, regulation of manta
rays in Larantuka and Tanjung Luar is an export commodity would be very different
from the rules that mantas in Bali for tourism purposes. Mentioned in point 2, then the
task of institutions in each region is not merely implementing legislation but how society
can accept and get the solution at each different area.
In conclusion, Enforcement of regulations is needed to preserve the population of
Manta Rays. Map of the distribution and migration of manta rays could become a reference to
any country that potentially becomes a conservation area. In this issue, the number of the
waters territorial of a country involved, so cooperation among countries is also needed in
order to obtain standards regulation for this conservation area. Public awareness, especially
fishermen is also needed in the preservation of manta ray. Manta rays were caught in fishing
nets, are expected to be released back into waters. High selling price should not be a reason to
be the target catch.

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