The Manta Trust is a UK-based charity that was formed in 2011 to co-ordinate global research and conservation efforts for manta rays, their close relatives and their habitat. As charismatic

megafauna In zoology, megafauna (from Ancient Greek, Greek μέγας ''megas'' "large" and Neo-Latin ''fauna'' "animal life") are large animals. The precise definition of the term varies widely, though a common threshold is approximately , this lower en ...

manta rays Manta rays are large Batoidea, rays belonging to the genus ''Mobula'' (formerly its own genus ''Manta''). The larger species, ''Giant oceanic manta ray, M. birostris'', reaches in width, while the smaller, ''Reef manta ray, M. alfredi'', reac ...

act as a

flagship species In conservation biology, a flagship species is a species chosen to raise support for biodiversity conservation in a given place or social context. Definitions have varied, but they have tended to focus on the strategic goals and the socio-economi ...

, helping to promote and engage the general public in the wider message of marine ecosystem conservation. Through this top down approach to conservation the manta ray becomes the catalyst for change, engaging and motivating the general public, governments and local communities alike. A UK Registered Charity, the Trust brings together a number of projects from around the globe, both new and long-standing, including the Republic of

Maldives The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, abou ...

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

Mexico Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...

and

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...

. By conducting long-term, robust studies into manta populations in these locations, the trust aims to build the solid foundations upon which Governments,

NGOs A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...

and conservationists can make informed and effective decisions to ensure the long-term survival of these animals and their habitat. The

BBC News BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs in the UK and around the world. The department is the world's largest broad ...

program "Protecting the fragile manta rays of the Maldives" profiles Manta Trust's conservation efforts in the Maldives.

Achievements

Manta ray species and five shark species gain protection under CITES Appendix II, ''March 2013''

In March 2013, Manta Trust helped secure protection for both manta ray species with approval for listing in CITES Appendix II.

Sharks, Rays, and Sawfishes gain protection under CMS CoP11, ''November 2014''

In November 2014, Manta Trust played in key role, along with several NGOs and other groups, in proposing and subsequently succeeding in getting new protective legislation granted to 21 species of sharks, rays and sawfishes by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

Mobula Rays listed on CITES Appendix II, ''October 2016''

In October 2016, the Manta Trust played a key role in a proposal for listing mobula rays on Appendix II of CITES. Being listed on Appendix II means countries must prove that the trade in mobula gill plates is sustainable and not detrimental to the survival of the species. Conservationists were delighted when

CITES CITES (shorter acronym for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals from the threats of inte ...

Parties officially listed devil rays, thresher sharks, and the silky shark under CITES Appendix II with the proposals supported by more than the two-thirds majority required for adoption.

External links

Manta Trust homepage

References

{{Reflist International environmental organizations