Stewart part of team that gets Peru to protect world's largest known manta population
In a significant move to save one of the world’s most-treasured marine animals, Peru has approved strong regulations to protect the giant oceanic manta ray, a species particularly vulnerable to fishing activity.
Manta ray populations are under serious threat worldwide from fisheries targeting mantas for their gills and meat, and from accidental entanglement in nets and fishing line. Last year, a giant oceanic manta caught in a gill net by Peruvian fishermen made international headlines, sparking calls to strengthen protections for mantas, whose gill plates are often sold in some Asian markets for use in a “health tonic.”
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Josh Stewart, Associate Director of The Manta Trust, said: “The Peruvian government has taken commendable and critical steps to protect this unique population, and with proper enforcement it will now be safe from exploitation on both sides of the border.”
Additional Resources
Peru Affords Full Protection to World’s Largest Known Manta Population, National Geographic
