Global Ban Protects Rays from Being Traded

Member nations of CITES, short for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, have unanimously granted the highest level of protection to all ten species of manta and devil rays, ending international commercial trade and marking a historic conservation milestone.

“This is a momentous day for manta and devil rays. The world’s countries are standing up for the survival of our natural heritage,” said Nuno Barros, Fisheries and Policy Assistant Manager at The Manta Trust.

The new Appendix I listing bans all trade in manta and devil ray products, safeguarding species whose numbers have fallen by up to 99% in some regions. With roughly 265,000 caught each year across 92 countries, this global decision is expected to help populations recover by curbing overfishing and illegal markets. Conservationists now call for strict enforcement and community-led protection to ensure these ocean giants thrive once more.