Recent trends in the mobulid fishery in Indian waters

Abstract

Mobulidae are zooplanktivorous elasmobranchs, found circumglobally in tropical, subtropical and temperate coastal waters. It comprises of two recognized species of manta rays (Manta spp.) and nine recognized species of devil rays (Mobulaspp.). Although the reports of mobulid fisheryin India were only from 1960s, however it was commercially exploited only after 2007 for their valuable gillrakers. Mobuladiabolus, M. tarpacana, M. japonica, M. kuhlii, M. thurstoni, Manta birostris and M. alfredi are the seven species which contributes tomobulid fishery. White gilled Mobulatarpacana is highly targeted for its high priced gill raker which fetches uptoRs. 8,000 kg-1 in dry weight.Few mobulid species has already reached the IUCN Red list status. Thorough monitoring of mobulid fish exploitation level is essential in India. It is necessary to ensure standardized sampling and modelling methodologies to estimate the stock position of these fishes from Indian waters.