Manta ray fish exclusion device could save rays from bycatch death with the help of fishermen

There is an effort to conserve the Mobulid (manta and devil rays) species (9-11 species) as most of the species are considered endangered. Purse seine nets and gill nets are the leading reason for the death of mobulids. But there is a new fishing gear hack that gives mobulids a better chance for survival if they are caught in purse seine nets. The device is called a manta grid and it could be used as a tool in the conservation tool belt for tuna fishing (or any other type of fishing) in the future. Other tools could consider pre-fishing adjustments that could give mobulid species a fighting chance at survival. We are going to discuss these tools and strategies in this episode.

 

Link to article: http://bit.ly/40OM8vz