Species profile
Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
At a glance
Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris) is an IUCN Endangered shark or ray with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 8 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in Hawaii.
Listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and CITES — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- The largest ray in the world, with wingspans reaching up to 7 m (23 ft).
- Feeds exclusively on zooplankton and small fish despite its enormous size.
- Migrates thousands of miles across open ocean following seasonal plankton blooms.
- Has one of the largest brain-to-body ratios of any fish, suggesting high cognitive ability.
- Listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, threatened by targeted hunting and bycatch.
Where Oceanic Manta Ray are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Oceanic Manta Ray
Protected status
- Giant manta ray — rangewide.
- CITES Appendix II (Mobulidae — all manta & devil rays, CoP16/17).
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The giant oceanic manta ray (Manta birostris) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae, and the largest type of ray in the world. They are circumglobal and are typically found in tropical and subtropical waters, but can also be found in temperate waters.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Oceanic Manta Ray article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other sharks & rays on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.