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Fishermen now face new requirements regarding manta rays
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Fishermen now face new requirements when fishing in the US Atlantic.
Last summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed a new rule aimed to protect mobulid rays in the country.
Manta and devil rays are collectively known as mobulid rays.
They are a cartilaginous, filter-feeding fish that live in the tropical and sub-tropical oceans.
Swordfish and tuna fisherman were accidentally catching rays and there was no rule that said they needed to release them.
Now the rule says the rays need to be back into the water as safely and quickly as possible.
Gib Brogan is the senior campaign director at Oceana.
“So this rule is good for the rays and will help their international conservation and hopefully their recovery,” Brogan said.
Brogan said giant manta rays are listed under the Endangered Species Act.
“These rays need to be treated carefully, and that will prevent anyone from keeping one, or it will put that additional emphasis on the need to conserve this species,” Brogan said.
There are still methods to capture the large rays for display and research purposes, but that goes through a different process that isn’t changed by this rule.
Brogan said he is hoping that, over time, the rule will decrease the deaths of these large rays in commercial fisheries.
“We’re hopeful that the regulations will improve the recovery of these species, that it will put an additional emphasis on the need to carefully release them,” Brogan said.
The rays now join a number of shark species under the Endangered Species Act with similar protections.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects endangered and threatened fish, wildlife, and plants to prevent their extinction and protect their habitats.
This new rule is specific to the accidental catch of these large rays in commercial fishing boats.
The rule went into effect on June 22 and Brogan said they are a great first step to conservation.
“We’re looking forward to the Fisheries Service continuing to do its job to protect species like meta rays,” Brogan said.
The post Fishermen now face new requirements regarding manta rays appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
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By Listen:
Fishermen now face new requirements when fishing in the US Atlantic.
Last summer, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proposed a new rule aimed to protect mobulid rays in the country.
Manta and devil rays are collectively known as mobulid rays.
They are a cartilaginous, filter-feeding fish that live in the tropical and sub-tropical oceans.
Swordfish and tuna fisherman were accidentally catching rays and there was no rule that said they needed to release them.
Now the rule says the rays need to be back into the water as safely and quickly as possible.
Gib Brogan is the senior campaign director at Oceana.
“So this rule is good for the rays and will help their international conservation and hopefully their recovery,” Brogan said.
Brogan said giant manta rays are listed under the Endangered Species Act.
“These rays need to be treated carefully, and that will prevent anyone from keeping one, or it will put that additional emphasis on the need to conserve this species,” Brogan said.
There are still methods to capture the large rays for display and research purposes, but that goes through a different process that isn’t changed by this rule.
Brogan said he is hoping that, over time, the rule will decrease the deaths of these large rays in commercial fisheries.
“We’re hopeful that the regulations will improve the recovery of these species, that it will put an additional emphasis on the need to carefully release them,” Brogan said.
The rays now join a number of shark species under the Endangered Species Act with similar protections.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects endangered and threatened fish, wildlife, and plants to prevent their extinction and protect their habitats.
This new rule is specific to the accidental catch of these large rays in commercial fishing boats.
The rule went into effect on June 22 and Brogan said they are a great first step to conservation.
“We’re looking forward to the Fisheries Service continuing to do its job to protect species like meta rays,” Brogan said.
The post Fishermen now face new requirements regarding manta rays appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.