About This Project

This project will contribute to the protection of endangered manta and devil ray species (collectively known as Mobulids) in Peru. Their decline is mainly caused by overfishing. However, the still developing communities of northern Peru depend on Mobulid meat and the income it generates. To prevent disadvantaging locals by simply restricting their catches, we will explore their socioeconomic and cultural dependence to incorporate those into a sustainable and ethical conservation plan.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

While the intuitive solution might seem to stop manta and devil ray catches due to overfishing's detrimental effects, this approach has its complexities. In 2015, the Peruvian government officially banned the capture of the giant oceanic manta (Mobula birostris), recognizing its need for conservation. However, a recent study reveals that the ban hasn't effectively decreased the catches. The underlying reason? The economic struggles faced by local fishers.

Conservation efforts often falter due to a failure to involve local communities as active stakeholders. Through the documentation of socioeconomic and cultural needs of mobulid fishers we create the basis for a more inclusive and foremost more effective conservation approach.

What is the significance of this project?

Five of the ten known mobulid species are found in Peru, of which all are classified as vulnerable or endangered. Because of their long lifespan, late sexual maturity and long gestation period they are particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. Peru ranks 15th in global ray catches and 5th in global devil ray catches. In 2015, nearly 2000 mobulids were landed in Zorritos alone, of which more than 97% were immature spinetail devil rays (status: endangered). To effectively reduce these numbers we need in-depth research on how valuable these catches are to the community. Only then we can explore alternative livelihoods and compensation schemes that encourage compliance with fishing restrictions, which ultimately aim to protect mobulids sustainably.

What are the goals of the project?

In January 2024, our team will journey to Zorritos for a 1.5-month period to conduct approximately 40 interviews with the local fishing community. We will mainly delve into the socioeconomic and cultural drivers behind mobulid catches. This reveals the extent of disadvantage imposed on the community by a hypothetical mobulid fishing ban. Additionally, we aim to explore their receptiveness to various future conservation scenarios. This includes, for instance, the likelihood of fishers reducing mobulid catches if they are financially compensated in return for their release. It is our intention to publish the results and actively inform future decision makers to produce a sustainable and ethical conservation strategy.