Hip Hip HooRay (Photo courtesy of Manta Pacific Research Foundation)

MEDIA RELEASE

Manta Pacific Research Foundation is celebrating two milestones this month.

At its recent triennial Wildlife Conference in Bangkok, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, took action to reduce global trade in Manta Rays by giving them protected status as an Appendix II species.

This marks an important first step in securing the global protection of Manta Rays and a huge success for the Manta Pacific Research Foundation and all of the people and groups who worked so hard to convince the international community that Manta Rays deserve to be protected.

The second major event is the cataloging of the 200th Kona manta ray in the foundation database. And to celebrate this momentous occasion, and to commemorate the CITES action, he’s been named Hip Hip HooRay!

Of course neither of these milestones means that manta rays are out of danger, or that the work of the Manta Pacific Research Foundation is finished. While the foundation has successfully gained full protection for manta rays in Hawaii, manta rays continue to be killed and fished in unsustainable fisheries in several parts of the world.

So, while this is a fantastic week for these magnificent animals, until manta rays are fully protected worldwide, the work continues.

Sharks and Rays Make History:

Manta Rays were accepted to CITES Appendix II status the first time they were proposed. Six species of sharks were also added to Appendix II.

Science-based conservation information as well as thousands of petition signatures and letters sent to CITES delegates showed governments around the world that people care, and are paying close attention to their actions and explanations.

About Manta Pacific Research Foundation:

The Manta Pacific Research Foundation mission is to study manta rays in their natural habitat, conduct scientific research, provide education programs for the public about manta rays and the marine environment, and to establish and promote global manta ray conservation.

CITES CoPs No. 16:

The Parties (member States) to CITES are collectively referred to as the Conference of the Parties. Every two to three years, the Conference of the Parties meets to review the implementation of the Convention. These meetings – often referred to as CoPs – last for about two weeks and are usually hosted by one of the parties.

— Find out more:
www.mantapacific.org
www.cites.org/eng/cop/16/prop