Manta rays are regarded as one of the most charismatic marine species in the world, and in recent years manta ecotourism has grown in popularity. A peer-reviewed study led by WildAid, Manta Trust and SHARK SAVERS estimated that manta ecotourism generates USD$140 million in annual revenues globally (and USD$15 million per year in Indonesia alone), making the species vital for many Indonesian communities that rely on ecotourism for their livelihood. However, manta rays are highly threatened by targeted fisheries, which annually generate USD$400,000 in comparison. Although there is clear evidence that stocks are in decline, these fisheries continue to increase their fishing efforts, posing a huge threat to the survival of ray populations. #indonesianoceanpride #worthmorealive #racingextinction
