Many years ago, in the Bay of California, Palacios began to implant tiny acoustic devices in rays that transform them into data relays. Fishermen, hired for the task, capture animals, and then return them to the water. This strategy is known as passive acoustic telemetry and although seemingly invasive, it takes place with extreme care. After releasing, the animals resume swimming.
Every time the marked animal passes near the underwater receiver, the date and duration of its visit are recorded. Palacio was able to describe Breeding area for the first time M. Munkana in the bay in the bay of California. To further reconstruct the life history of these creatures, the scientist collects fishermen’s testimonies and observes his monumental groups with drones.
Palacios is not sleeping much. He spends the nights watching the fishermen of the DNA, commercial and legally caught species in Mexico when they threw the nets into the sea. In these networks, mobulas are caught by accident. One of his experiment consisted of over 40 nights documenting the situation and assessing whether the utilize of lighter networks can reduce urinality.
No strict protection
Due to their alleged healing properties, meat and gill -free Mobulas plates are increasingly sought after in Asia. Palacios recently conducted a study to understand the size of the problem, which included 100 surveys and interviews in 19 countries. The research team analyzed data from 75 nations, including photos and records of seizures in Palestine, Somalia, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
The study showed that the meat is exported from countries such as Bangladesh (to continental China, India and Myanmar), Ecuador (to Peru), India, Madagascar, Madagascar, Mauritania, Myanma (to Thailand), Oman (to the United Arab Emirates), Senegal, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The highest prices of dried meat – up to $ 10/kg – were found in Bangladesh and Burma, while fresh meat reached 8 USD/kg in Benin, Mexico, Brazil and the Republic of Congo M. Mobular AND M. Alfredi Being the most hunting genre.
Gill plates are collected in 14 countries in Africa and Asia and are imported mainly to continental and Hong Kong China, where a kilo can cost USD 1260. They also reach Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
Scientists also found that although the international trade in mobula covers 20 countries, only five reported that Cites, a convention on international trade with threatened species of wild fauna and flora. Since 2013, CITES has allowed regulated Mobulas trade to prevent their extinction, but trade in meat and parts of these animals has not decreased. Some researchers therefore recommend going to a full ban on trade.
The care of habitats is also destitute. Un Biological diversity goals called nations to determine 30 percent of their waters as maritime protected areas (MPa) by 2030, while MPA has increased dramatically in the last 15 years, now Only 16 percent of sea habitats Critical for sharks and rays belong to MPa, and only 7 percent of these habitats are “without shot”, in which fishing is completely banned.
This story originally appeared Wired in Spanish and was translated from Spanish.