By Dr Nazia Sher
Manta rays and mobula rays, collectively known as mobulids, are among the most remarkable yet least understood marine species in Pakistan’s waters. These large, gentle filter-feeders belong to the genus Mobula and are globally recognised for their ecological importance and extreme biological vulnerability. In the Arabian Sea, particularly within Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), they remain largely invisible in fisheries policy despite being increasingly affected by human activity.
Scientific records, including FAO identification guides and regional fisheries studies, confirm the presence of at least five mobulid species in Pakistan’s marine waters. These include the oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris), reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi), Chilean devil ray (Mobula tarapacana), spinetail devil ray (Mobula mobular), shortfin devil ray (Mobula kuhlii), and smoothtail mobula (Mobula thurstoni). These species are typically found in offshore pelagic waters, often overlapping with productive tuna fishing grounds.
Pakistan does not have a targeted fishery for manta or mobula rays. However, they are frequently caught unintentionally as bycatch in pelagic gillnet fisheries targeting tuna and related species. Historical landing records from Karachi Fish Harbour suggest that mobulid catches were more common between 2000 and 2015, followed by a noticeable decline in recent years. While this trend raises concerns about possible population pressure, limited long-term data makes it difficult to draw precise conclusions.
One of the major challenges in understanding their status is poor data quality. Fisheries catch records submitted under Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) frameworks often group mobulid rays into broad categories such as “unidentified rays”, rather than identifying them at species level. This lack of detail makes scientific assessment extremely difficult. Weak observer coverage on fishing vessels, limited electronic monitoring systems, and fragmented data sharing between federal and provincial fisheries departments further worsen the situation.
Globally, mobulid populations are under pressure due to fishing mortality and international demand for their gill plates, which are used in traditional medicine markets in parts of Asia. Although some countries have reported reduced catches following conservation measures, scientists believe that actual mortality remains underreported across the Indian Ocean region. Pakistan, along with countries such as Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Tanzania, continues to report mobulid interactions in tuna gillnet fisheries.
Biologically, these species are highly sensitive to exploitation. They grow slowly, mature late, and produce very few offspring, usually only one pup at a time. This means even low levels of fishing pressure can significantly impact their populations, and recovery is extremely slow.
At the international level, conservation efforts have strengthened in recent years. In 2014, manta rays were listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), followed by the inclusion of all mobula species in 2016. The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) also recognises these animals due to their long-distance movements across international waters. In addition, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has developed detailed identification guides to improve species recognition and fisheries reporting.
Pakistan has introduced several policy measures, including restrictions on the capture and retention of mobulid rays, and participation in international reporting frameworks such as the IOTC. However, enforcement remains limited due to weak monitoring capacity, low awareness among fishers, and institutional gaps between fisheries authorities. Despite these efforts, major knowledge gaps remain. There is no comprehensive national study on mobulid population size, distribution, or migration routes within Pakistan’s waters. Critical habitats, breeding areas, and genetic connectivity are still unknown. Climate change impacts on these species have also not been properly assessed.
From a management perspective, fisheries data remain incomplete. Species-level catch reporting is rare, observer programmes are limited, and electronic monitoring systems have not yet been widely implemented. As a result, the true impact of fisheries on mobulid populations remains uncertain.
Pakistan also lacks a dedicated national conservation plan for manta and mobula rays. Responsibilities are scattered across institutions, and coordination between federal and provincial authorities remains weak. At the same time, opportunities such as manta ray-based eco-tourism, successfully developed in countries like the Maldives and Indonesia, remain unexplored.
Addressing these challenges requires a clear and coordinated national approach. Pakistan needs to develop a dedicated mobulid conservation and management plan aligned with international frameworks such as CITES, CMS, FAO guidelines, and IOTC reporting requirements. Expanding observer coverage in tuna fisheries, introducing affordable electronic monitoring systems, and improving species identification training for fisheries officers and fishers are immediate priorities.
Scientific research must be strengthened through collaborative studies involving the Marine Fisheries Department, universities, and research institutions. Satellite tagging, acoustic tracking, and habitat mapping can help identify migration routes and critical areas within Pakistan’s EEZ. Establishing a centralised national database would further improve long-term monitoring and decision-making. If these steps are implemented effectively, Pakistan could significantly improve fisheries data quality, reduce bycatch mortality, and strengthen its compliance with international conservation commitments. More importantly, it would support a shift towards a more sustainable and ecosystem-based blue economy in the Arabian Sea.
(The writer is a research associate at the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA), Pakistan. She focuses on fisheries maritime governance and policy, and blue economy development in Indian Ocean. She can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
