The majestic mobulas of the Gulf of California are facing unprecedented decline due to targeted fishing, bycatch, and climate change. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these magnificent creatures, but stronger measures are needed to ensure their long-term survival.
Mobulas, an aquatic wonder of the Gulf of California, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to targeted fishing, bycatch, and climate change.
Conservationists are working tirelessly to protect these magnificent rays. Researchers from the organization Mobula Conservation, founded in 2020 by ‘Marta Palacios, Melissa Cronin, and Nerea Lezama-Ochoa’ , are teaming up with artisanal and industrial fishermen to develop effective conservation strategies.
Mobulas, also known as devil rays, are vulnerable to extinction due to overfishing.
They are targeted for their valuable liver oil, which is believed to have medicinal properties.
According to the IUCN Red List, three out of six mobula species are threatened with extinction.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates trade, but enforcement remains a challenge.
Conservation efforts include establishing marine protected areas and promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Mobulas, also known as ‘devil rays,’ are elasmobranchs – a subclass of fish characterized by skeletons primarily made from cartilage. More than a third of the species in this group are threatened with extinction. Of the nine species of mobulas, seven are endangered and two are vulnerable according to the ‘International Union for Conservation of Nature’.
Researchers at Mobula Conservation are studying the life histories of these animals and involving fishermen in their conservation efforts. They are using a range of techniques, including implanting acoustic transmitters and flying drones over mobula groups to track their movements. The team is also working to expose the black market for mobula meat and parts.
Mobulas are a type of ray that has long fascinated scientists and marine enthusiasts alike.
These elusive creatures have been the subject of extensive research, with studies revealing their unique social behavior, migratory patterns, and adaptations to their oceanic environment.
According to a 2020 study, mobula populations have declined by up to 80% due to overfishing and habitat loss.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats.
Climate change is having a devastating impact on mobulas. Rising sea temperatures are causing ocean waters to stratify, making it difficult for cold, nutrient-rich bottom water to rise to the top of the sea. This can affect food production and has been found to be particularly problematic for species that use coastal areas as nurseries.
Mobulas are being hunted at an alarming rate, with their meat and parts being sold on the black market. The researchers have found that 20 countries are involved in international mobula trade, but only five report it to ‘CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)’. Some researchers recommend moving to a full prohibition of trade.
Habitat care is also weak. ‘UN biodiversity targets have called for nations to designate 30 percent of their waters as marine protected areas (MPAs) by 2030.’ While MPAs have increased in size over the past 15 years, currently only 16 percent of marine habitats critical to sharks and rays fall inside an MPA, and only 7 percent of these habitats are ‘no take’ zones.
It is imperative that we take action to protect mobulas. We must work together to develop effective conservation strategies and ensure the long-term survival of these magnificent creatures.
Mobulas, also known as devil rays, are large marine animals that face various threats in the wild.
Entanglement in fishing gear and collision with boats are significant concerns.
To mitigate these risks, conservation efforts focus on implementing bycatch reduction measures, promoting eco-tourism, and establishing protected areas.
For instance, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 prohibits harming or harassing mobulas in US waters.
Additionally, organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) work with local communities to develop sustainable fishing practices.
