Table 2. The Global Devil and Manta Ray Conservation Strategy.

The complete text of the Global Devil and Manta Ray Conservation Strategy; including a vision, and a series of goals, objectives, and actions.

Vision:Populations of devil and manta rays that flourish in resilient ocean ecosystems, harmoniously with human communities, through knowledge, sustainability, and education
Goal A: The knowledge required to sustain devil and manta rays is generated and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
Objective 1
Taxonomy and stock structure
Taxonomy of devil and manta rays is resolved, and management units are defined.
The taxonomy of devil and manta rays is still unclear and substantial changes at the species and even genus level are expected. Defining management units will enable more focused and efficient conservation measures for these species, and show where trans-national regulations are necessary.
Actions
1.1 Produce peer-reviewed publications that resolve the species-level taxonomy of devil and manta rays to be used by the scientific and management community.
1.2 Undertake research to define management units of devil and manta ray populations on regional and global scales.
1.3 Refine a list of priority species and regions based on newly defined management units.
1.3.1 Potential priority species include M. japanica, M. tarapacana, M. mobular.
1.3.2 Potential priority regions include the Indo-Pacific, Mediterranean Sea, Eastern Pacific, and West Africa.