Our main purpose is to protect and conserve manta and devil rays. We want to see a world where manta rays and their relatives thrive in healthy, diverse marine ecosystems. To achieve this we take a unique, multifaceted approach to conservation through research, education and collaboration. We have built a global network of affiliate projects, and, as a collective, we collaborate with businesses, governments, communities and individuals to drive conservation of this species. We collect data that informs marine management decisions and we use the charismatic nature of these gentle giants to motivate, engage and educate people in ocean conservation.

Since its inception, the Manta Trust’s global network has positioned itself as the leading authority on manta and devil rays - and we have a solid track record of achievements to illustrate our impact. We have contributed critical data and expertise to drive protection of manta and devil rays at national and international level: we helped gain national protection for mantas in key mobulid fishing nations, such as Indonesia, Peru, Thailand and Philippines, and our collaborations resulted in the successful adoption of all manta and devil ray species under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Appendix I & II, as well as under the Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), effectively limiting international trade of these species.