Top Mantas, Devil Rays Not Elsewhere Included Fishing Countries

Mantas and devil rays, collectively known as mobulid rays, are large, migratory cartilaginous fishes found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. These species, prized for their gill plates used in traditional medicines and as bycatch in various fisheries, have faced increasing fishing pressure in recent decades. The main fishing countries targeting mantas and devil rays—classified as "not elsewhere included" in trade and catch statistics—include Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and the Philippines, where artisanal and small-scale fisheries harvest them for local consumption and export. Indonesia stands out as the world’s largest harvester, with significant landings in places like Lamakera and Tanjung Luar. These fisheries often operate with minimal regulation, raising concerns for the conservation status of mobulid rays, many of which are now listed as threatened or endangered due to overfishing and slow reproductive rates.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.