Evidence for a fisher-designed solution to manta and devil ray bycatch in tuna fisheries

Bycatch in global tropical tuna purse seine fisheries represents a significant source of mortality for manta and devil rays (mobulids), which are globally threatened. Use of best handling and rapid release practices on purse seine vessels can substantially reduce mortality and improve vulnerability status for mobulids. However, interventions must be effective, operationally feasible, and safe for human operators if they are to be successfully implemented at a large scale. We assessed the feasibility and efficacy of an innovative mobulid bycatch release device (sorting grid) in collaboration with captains and crew of vessels in the tropical tuna purse seine fleet. We evaluated the size of individuals and duration of release when the sorting grid was used and compared these metrics with other release methods. Forty-one mobulid capture events occurred on 12 vessels. Mobulids released using the sorting grid were significantly larger than those released by other methods; yet, mean handling time remained short (∼3 min), suggesting that the device enables the rapid release of even the largest individuals. Widespread implementation and use of the mobulid sorting grid could help achieve conservation goals for threatened mobulid rays and may have broader bycatch reduction benefits. Adoption of sorting grid requirements by regional fisheries management organizations could standardize best practices and markedly improve the survival of released mobulid rays globally.