In an extraordinary show of international solidarity, member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have voted to uplist all ten species of manta and devil rays to Appendix I – the Convention’s strongest possible safeguard.

It’s a consensus decision, adopted without opposition, that effectively shuts down all international commercial trade in manta and devil ray products, marking a pivotal moment for some of the ocean’s most threatened and charismatic megafauna.

Manta and devil rays have long captivated scientists and divers alike. These pelagic filter-feeders, recognised by their sweeping wingspans and acrobatics, occupy a unique evolutionary niche. Their specialised gill plates – used to sieve zooplankton and small fish from the water column – set them apart from all other rays.

But these same traits are what have made them, historically, acutely vulnerable. Manta rays are slow to mature, with males reaching adulthood at around nine years old and females roughly fifteen. They give birth to just a single pup every two to seven years and can live half a century or more. Such life-history traits leave their populations unable to rebound from even modest fishing pressure.

Meanwhile, seasonal mass gatherings, while a spectacular natural display, make the species easy targets for fishers.

For more than a decade, the primary threat has been the trade in gill plates, sold in parts of Asia as unproven “health tonics.” Despite a lack of scientific or historical evidence supporting these purported medicinal benefits, demand persists – and increasingly thrives online.

Recent research from The Manta Trust highlights rising prices, expanding digital marketplaces, and growing difficulties in identifying processed products to species level. Together, these trends point to widespread non-compliance with existing CITES regulations and an increasingly opaque trade landscape.

Compounding the issue is the overlooked international trade in manta and devil ray meat, often dried and salted for transport. With consumption documented in at least 35 countries, the meat trade adds further pressure to species already in steep decline.

In many regions, populations have plummeted by 80-99% within just one to two generations, despite existing protections under CITES Appendix II, the Convention on Migratory Species, and national laws in more than 40 countries.

Global estimates from The Manta Trust suggest that roughly 265,000 manta and devil rays are caught each year across 92 countries – numbers that far exceed sustainable limits.

While the Appendix I listing represents a landmark win, experts stress that global momentum must now shift to implementation. Nations are being urged to bolster national protections, particularly in high-mortality hotspots, by enforcing retention bans, eliminating incidental catch allowances, and closing legal loopholes. Sustainable, community-led approaches – alongside investments in monitoring, enforcement, and traceability technologies – will be essential to turning this vote into real-world recovery.

“This is a momentous day for manta and devil rays, and the fact there was a consensus in the room shows that not only was the science clear, but that the world’s countries are standing up for the survival of our natural heritage,” said Nuno Barros, Fisheries & Policy Assistant Manager at The Manta Trust.

Rebecca Carter, the organisation’s Director of Conservation Programmes, echoed the cautious optimism: “While we celebrate this unprecedented step, our work is far from over. The implementation of these protections will require vigilance, commitment, and collaboration across governments, communities, and enforcement agencies worldwide. Together, we can ensure that these ocean giants have a future in our seas.”

As the international community moves from promise to practice, one thing is clear: the fate of manta and devil rays now hinges not on global consensus—but on global follow-through.

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