12/26/2023 0 Comments Giant oceanic manta ray conservationIn the Dutch Caribbean, marine protected areas, such as the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, help protect manta and devil rays. The slow life cycle and low reproduction rate make manta rays extremely vulnerable to depletion. The age that giant manta rays are able to reproduce for the first time is estimated around 9-12 years old and manta rays only give birth to one pup at a time. The manta rays are the largest species of rays, they are long-lived (30-50 years) and slow to reproduce. Bycatchand entanglement are likely the two biggest threats in the Caribbean. They are also at risk from bycatch, entanglement, habitat destruction, and pollution. One of the biggest threats to these creatures worldwide is overfishing, as they are often targeted for their gill plates, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Manta rays are threatened by a variety of human activities. Also, by moving between the surface ocean, deep sea and coral reefs, they create a valuable ecological connection by transporting nutrients. They play a vital role in keeping the oceans healthy by regulating plankton levels. Manta rays are filter feeders, taking in microscopic food (plankton), including fish larvae, krill, shrimp, and planktonic crabs from the water column and filtering them through their gill plates. Birostris- which will most likely be officially described in the coming years), as well as several species of devil rays. The Caribbean is home to two species of manta ray, the giant oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) and Caribbean Manta Rays (Mobula cf. Luckily, increased protection for the giant oceanic manta ray in the Caribbean region will be considered in the next Conference of Parties for the Cartagena Convention (COPS) meeting later this year on Aruba. In addition to being a highly prized find for divers and snorkelers, they are also important for healthy oceans as they can help control plankton and cycle nutrients. Manta rays are highly charismatic creatures that inhabit the waters of the Dutch Caribbean.
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