No rights can be derived from the content. This article contains the results from several scientific studies but the studies themselves are not DCNA studies. The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports science communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature-related scientific information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and the press. If uploading images to social media, particularly Instagram, tag in your uploads to make sure these images are easily found and included in the global database. In addition, you could also submit your photos via /IDtheManta, e-mail or through the Caribbean Islands Manta Conservation Program social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. You can report your sightings via Caribbean Islands Manta Conservation Program or and its associated free app ObsIdentify which will help you automatically identify the species by uploading your photos. Report your sightingsīy submitting your (old and new) sightings of manta and devil rays, you can help researchers and conservationists learn more and better protect these species. If approved during the next Conference of Parties for the Cartagena Convention (COPS) this year on Aruba, this measure will provide a legal framework for the highest level of protection for the conservation of the giant manta ray. In addition, the Kingdom of Netherlands, along with the Republic of France, has formally submitted a proposal to include the giant manta in Annex II of the Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol, a regional agreement for the protection and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity in the Wider Caribbean Region. The species are also on several regional and international lists, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and International Shark Strategy adopted by the Dutch Government (2019). In the Dutch Caribbean, marine protected areas, such as the Yarari Marine Mammal and Shark Sanctuary, help protect manta and devil rays. This slow life cycle and low reproduction rate make manta rays extremely vulnerable to depletion. It is estimated that giant manta rays are not able to reproduce until they reach an age of 9 to 12 years old, after which, they are only able to produce one pup at a time. Manta rays are the largest species of rays, are long-lived (30 tot 50 years) and are slow to reproduce. Bycatch and 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. Manta rays are the largest type of rays and pose no danger to humans. 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 ray ( 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.
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