Yet, manta ray products have no known curative properties. Baby reef manta ray in Wayag Bay, Indonesia (Photo copyright Shawn Heinrichs courtesy Conservation International)Ĭaught for their gill rakers, manta products are sold mostly in the Guangzhou region of southern China as a medicinals to treat everything from chickenpox to cancer and infertility. Rays are now classed as Vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “We expect that other governments will now follow Indonesia’s lead by capitalizing on the non-extractive value of these fishes and conserving them as a renewable resource for the future.”īut the demand for products made from manta rays has increased in the past decade and has led to steep declines in ray populations worldwide. Caleb McClennen, director of Wildlife Conservation Society’s Marine Program. “Manta rays are a huge draw for divers seeking out wildlife encounters along Indonesia’s coasts as well as in other parts of the world, such as the Maldives, the Philippines, and Mozambique,” said Dr. “Given the huge area of reefs and islands in our country, if managed properly, Indonesia could become the top manta tourism destination on the planet.” “Indonesia now has the second largest manta ray tourism industry in the world, with an estimated annual value of over US$15 million,” said Agus Dermawan, director of the ministry’s Marine Conservation Directorate. They can grow up to 25 feet in length and weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. With wingspans of up to 25 feet, a docile nature, intelligence and grace in the water, manta rays are a top marine tourism draw. alfredi, can be observed easily by tourists. “This action will fully protect both species of manta rays in Indonesian waters and ensure improved management of their populations,” he said.Īn archipelago of 17,500 islands, the Southeast Asian nation is one of the few places in the world where both species of manta ray – the oceanic manta ray, Manta birostris, and the reef manta, M. “As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, it is important for Indonesia to maximize economic returns from our marine resources,” said Sharif Sutardjo, Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The same animal is worth between $40 and $500 if caught and killed before the end of its average lifespan of 20 – 30 years. Indonesia has been the world’s largest fishery for rays and sharks for nearly 30 years, but a new review conducted by two Indonesian government agencies and a coalition of conservation organizations, concluded that rays are worth up to 2,000 times more alive than dead, due to the tourist business they attract.Ĭonducted by the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, with input from Conservation International, the review included findings from a recent study, led by WildAid, the Manta Trust and Shark Savers, showing that a single manta ray is worth an estimated US$1 million in dive tourism revenue over the course of its life. Giant Pacific manta ray, Manta birostris, Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Papua, Indonesia (Photo by Sterling Zumbrunn copyright Conservation International) On January 28, Sharif Sutardjo, Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, declared both the giant manta ray and reef manta ray as protected species under Indonesian law. JAKARTA, Indonesia, Febru(ENS) – Indonesia has announced legislation that will protect all manta rays within its nearly six million square kilometer exclusive economic zone, creating the world’s largest sanctuary for both species of manta rays.
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