Indonesia Enforcing Manta Ray Regulations

In February the Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries banned the hunting and trading of manta rays throughout the country. Authorities are now cracking down on the illegal sale of their parts along with other protected marine species, including sharks and turtles. Four traffickers were arrested during August and September for selling manta ray gills and snouts, and other animal products, these mark the first law enforcement actions under the new regulations.

The owner of Sido Mampir Seafood was arrested in Surabaya, Indonesia, on August 22, for allegedly aiding in the shipment of 13 kilos of turtle meat and 50 kilos of gill plates. Nearly half of the gill plates were from the newly protected manta ray. 

On September 1, a trader trafficking 53 snouts, from the critically endangered sawfish ray, was arrested in Bali.

Another trader was arrested on September 9 in Sidoarjo. Police confiscated 558 kilos of manta ray skeletal pieces, as well sea turtle scales, manta ray gill plates, and nautilus shells. 

Finally, in West Java, a fisheries trader was arrested on September 26 after attempting to sell a 60 kilo manta ray.

Manta ray gill plates are in high demand on the Chinese medicinal market. A kilo of these gill plates can sell upwards of $500, and it is estimated that $30 million worth of these products are traded annually.  The penalty for trafficking manta rays faces a maximum fine of $25,000, and those selling sawfish, sea turtles and nautilus' face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. 

Read the original article: Manta Ray Traffickers Busted in Indonesia